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AP Biology Big Idea #1 Flashcards

AP Biology Big Idea #1

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6469554201FitnessThe contribution an individual makes to the gene pool of the next generation, relative to the contributions of other individuals.0
6469554202Directional SelectionMost common when a population's environment changes or when members of a population migrate to a new habitat with different environmental conditions than their former one.1
6469554203Disruptive SelectionOccurs when conditions favor individuals on both extremes of a phenotypic range over individuals with intermediate phenotypes.2
6469554204Stabilizing SelectionActs against extreme phenotypes and favors intermediate variants.3
6469554205Heterozygote AdvantageGreater reproductive success of heterozygous individuals compared to homozygotes; tends to preserve variation in gene pools. Ex. Individuals that are heterozygous for the sickle cell allele are also immune from getting malaria.4
6469554206Sexual SelectionNatural selection for mating success5
6469554207Hardy-Weinberg TheoremThe principle that frequencies of alleles and genotypes in a population remain constant from generation to generation.6
6469554208MutationIntroduces new alleles that may provide a selective advantage or disadvantage to a population.7
6469554209Gene PoolThe aggregate of genes in a population at any one time; consists of all alleles at all gene loci in all individuals of the population.8
6469554210Hardy-Weinberg EquilibriumThe condition describing a non-evolving population (one that is in genetic equilibrium)., 1). No mutations. 2). Random mating. 3). No natural selection. 4). The population size must be extremely large, no genetic drift. 5). No gene flow. i.e. transfer of pollen.9
6469554211Gene FlowDescribes the movement of individuals between populations resulting in the removal of alleles from a population when they leave (emigration) or the introduction of alleles when they enter (immigration).10
6469554212Genetic DriftRandom increase and decrease of alleles.11
6469554213Allopatric speciationBegins when a population is divided by a geographic barrier so that interbreeding between the two resulting populations is prevented. Therefore, differential evolution creates reproductive barriers that prevent interbreeding and thus create new species.12
6469554214Adaptive radiationRelatively rapid evolution, occurs when the ancestral species is introduced to an area where diverse geographic or ecological conditions are available for colonization13
6469554215BottleneckOccurs when a population undergoes a drastic decrease in size; severely vulnerable to genetic drift.14
6469554216Divergent EvolutionDescribes two or more species that originate from a common ancestor and become increasingly different over time15
6469554217Sympatric speciationFormation of a new species without the presence of a geographic barrier.16
6469554218CladogramA.k.a. phylogenetic tree; a "tree-like" graphical representation of the relatedness of species. Each branch represents the divergence of a species from a common ancestor.17
6469554219Ecological stressPhysical, chemical, and biological constraints on the productivity of species and on the development of ecosystems.18
6469554220PaleontologyProvides fossils that reveal the prehistoric existence of extinct species. As a result, changes in species and the formation of new species can be studied.19
6469554221BiogeographyUses geography to describe the distribution of species.20
6469554222EmbryologyReveals similar stages in development (ontogeny) among related species. The similarities help establish evolutionary relationships (phylogeny).21
6469554223Comparative anatomyDescribes two kinds of structures that contribute to the identification of evolutionary relationships among species. Homologous structures and Analagous structures.22
6469554224Molecular biologyExamines the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of DNA and proteins from different species23
6469554240Founder EffectGenetic drift that occurs when a few individuals become isolated from a larger population and form a new population whose gene pool composition is not reflective of that of the original population.24
6469554241FossilsPreserved remains of once-living organisms25
6469554242GradualismA proposed explanation in evolutionary biology stating that new species arise from the result of slight modifications (mutations and resulting phenotypic changes) over many generations.26
6469554243Artificial SelectionBreeding organisms with specific traits in order to produce offspring with identical traits.27
6469554244HomologySimilarity in characteristics resulting from a shared ancestry.28
6469554245TaxonomySCIENCE OF CLASSIFICATION; IN BIOLOGY, THE PROCESS OF CLASSIFYING ORGANISMS IN CATEGORIES29
6469554246PhenotypeAn organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.30
6469554247GenotypeAn organism's genetic makeup31
6469554248Homologous StructuresBody parts that resemble one another in different species because they have evolved from a common ancestor32
6469554249Analogous StructuresBody parts that resemble one another in different species, not because they evolved from a common ancestor, but because they evolved independently as adaptations33
6469554250Vestigial StructuresHomologous structures that no longer serve any functions34
6469554251Endosymbiotic theoryDescribes how eukaryotic cells originated from a mutually beneficial association among various kinds of prokaryotes35
6469554252AutotrophsManufacture their own organic compounds using light energy of that from inorganic substances36
6469554253HeterotrophsLiving organisms that obtain energy by consuming organic substances37
6469554254ExtinctNo longer existing or living.38
6469554255Sickle Cell AnemiaSickle Cell disease is a serious disorder in which the body makes sickle-shaped red blood cells. They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain and organ damage.39
6469554256PhylogenyThe evolutionary history of a species or group of related species.40
6469554257SystematicsThe analytical study of the diversity and relationships of organisms, both present-day and extinct.41
6469554258Molecular SystematicsThe comparison of nucleic acids or other molecules in different species to infer relatedness.42
6469554259Fossil RecordThe chronicle of evolution over millions of years of geologic time engraved in the order in which fossils appear in rock strata.43
6469554260Phylogenetic TreeA branching diagram that represents a hypothesis about evolutionary relationships.44
6469554261MonophyleticPertaining to a grouping of species consisting of an ancestral species and all its descendants; a clade. Made up of an ancestral species and all of its descendant species.45
6469554262Genetic CodeThe sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that determines the specific amino acid sequence in the synthesis of proteins. It is the biochemical basis of heredity and nearly universal in all organisms.46
6469554263SpeciesA group of individuals capable of interbreeding.47
6469554264SpeciationThe formation of a new species.48
6469554265PolyploidyThe possession of more than the normal two sets of chromosomes found in diploid.49
6469554266HybridizationOccurs when two distinctly different forms of a species mate and produce progeny along a geographic boundary called a hybrid zone.50
6469554267Prezygotic Isolating MechanismsConsists of mechanisms that prevent fertilization.51
6469554268Postzygotic Isolating MechanismsConsists of mechanisms that prevent the formation of fertile progeny.52

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