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AP Biology Evolution Vocabulary Flashcards

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5217301427AdaptationCharacteristics passed down to an organism over generations that help it to survive and reproduce in a specific environment0
5217301428MutationChange in the nucleotide sequence of an organisms DNA (or RNA in a virus)1
5217301429SpeciationEvolutionary process where a species splits into multiple species2
5217301430SpeciesMembers of the same population that are able to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring from that same population, but not with a different population3
5217301431Sympatric SpeciationFormation of new species in populations that live in the same geographic area4
5217301432Vestigial OrganA feature on an organism that served as a function for their ancestors5
5217301434Allotropic SpeciationFormation of a new species in populations that are geographical isolated from one another6
5217301435Artificial SelectionUnnatural selective breeding of plants and animals to gain desirable traits in an offspring7
5217301436Biological Species ConceptSame definition as "Species"; members of populations that are able to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring, but are unable to with members of a different offspring8
5217301437Common AncestorWhen species share the same ancestor from many years ago9
5217301438FossilA preserved remnant or impression of an organism from many years ago10
5217301440GeologyScience that deals with Earth's physical structures and history11
5217301448Natural SelectionProcess where organisms have a certain inherited trait that allows them to survive and reproduce in an environment better than other organisms.12
5217301450PolyploidyChromosome alteration where an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes. Result of accident in cell division.13
5217301451PopulationGroup of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and are able to produce viable and fertile offspring14
5217301452Postzygotic BarrierPrevents hybrid organisms from developing into viable, fertile adults. Examples: 1. Reduced Hybrid Fertility 2. Reproductive Isolation 3. Hybrid Breakdown15
5217301453Prezygotic BarrierFactors that prevent organisms from mating in order to produce offspring or hinders fertilization. Examples: 1. Temporal Isolation 2. Mechanical Isolation 3. Habitat Isolation 4. Behavioral Isolation 5. Gametic Isolation16
5217301454Directional SelectionNatural selection where organisms on ONE end of the phenotypic spectrum are able to survive and reproduce better than other organisms.17
5217301455Disruptive SelectionWhen organisms on TWO ends of the phenotypic spectrum are able to survive and reproduce better than organisms with intermediate phenotype18
5217301456EvolutionChange in genotype of organism from generation to generation that allow the organism to be different than their ancestors. Descent with modification.19
5217301457Evolutionary FitnessDescent where they have a specific trait that will not allow them to die out20
5217301458Homologous StructuresStructures in organisms that are similar21
5217301459HomologySimilarity in characteristics resulting from shared ancestry22
5217301460HybridOffspring that results from the mating of two different species23
5217301461Reproductive IsolationBiological factors that prevent members from two species from producing viable, fertile offspring24

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