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ap biology terms evolution

ap bio evolution terms

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3575173evolutiongenetic change in a population or species over generations; all the changes that transform life on Earth; the heritable changes that have produced the Earth's diversity in organisms
3575174microevolutionEvolution resulting from a succession of relatively small genetic variations that often cause the formation of new subspecies.
3575175macroevolutionLarge-scale evolution occurring over geologic time that results in the formation of new taxonomic groups.
3575176phylogenythe evolutionary history of a group of organisms
3575177lamarcklunar crater in the southwest part of the Moon.
3575178natural selectionThe process in nature whereby one genotype leaves more offspring than another genotype because of superior life history attributes ( fitness)such as survival or fecundity.
3575179paleontologyThe study of the fossil record of past geological periods and of the phylogenetic relationships between ancient and contemporary plant and animal species.
3575180biogeographythe study of past and present distribution of species
3575181embryologystudy of embryogenesis, the development of animals and plants from fertilization to birth/hatching.
3575182comparative anatomyThe investigation and comparison of the structures of different animals.
3575183homologous structuresHaving the same typical structure and position
3575184analogous structuresfeatures of different species that are similar in function but not necessarily in structure and which do not derive from a common ancestral feature (compare to homologous structures) and which evolved in response to a similar environmental challenge
3575185adaptationIn the evolutionary sense, some heritable feature of an individual's phenotype that improves its chances of survival and reproduction in the existing environment.
3575186fitnessthe contribution an individual makes to the gene pool of the next generation, relative to the contribution of other individuals in the population
3575187stabilizing selectionnatural selection that favors immediate variants by acting against extreme phenotypes
3575188directional selectionnatural selection that acts against the rleatively rare individuals at one end of a phenotypic range
3575189disruptive selectionnatural selection that favors extreme over intermediate phenotypes
3575190sexual selectionThe forces determined by mate choice acting to cause one genotype to mate more frequently than another genotype.
3575191artificial selectionselective breeding of domesticated plants and animals to promote the occurence of desirable inherited traits in offsprings
3575192diploidyThe state or condition of being diploid (having each chromosome in two copies per nucleus or cell)
3575193polymorphismThe occurrence in a population (or among populations) of several phenotypic forms associated with alleles of one gene or homologs of one chromosome. See genetic polymorphism.
3575194hybrid vigorincreased vitality (compared to that of either parent stock) in the hybrid offspring of two different, inbred parents.
3575195gene driftRandom variation in gene frequency from one generation to another.
3575196bottleneckAn activity for which the work equals or exceeds the capacity of the activity; structural models of attention, a certain point in the central nervous system through which the passage of information is restricted.
3575197nonrandom matingA mating system in which there is not an equal opportunity for all male and female gametes to join in fertilization.
3575198speciationevolution of a new species
3575199allopatric speciationthe formation of new species as a result fo an ancestral population's becoming isolated by a geographical barrier
3575200sympatric speciationthe formation of a new species as a result of a genetic change that produces a reproductive barrier between the changed population (mutants) and the parent population
3575201adaptive radiationthe emergence of numerous species from a common ancestor introduced to new and diverse environments
3575202divergent evolutionwhen two or more biological characteristics have a common evolutionary origin but have diverged over evolutionary time. This is also known as adaptation or adaptive evolution.
3575203convergent evolutionThe development through evolution of similar features by organisms with distinctly different ancestors
3575204parallel evolutionEvolution of similar characteristics in different groups of organisms.
3575205coevolutionThe evolution of two or more interdependent species, each adapting to changes in the other.
3575206phyletic gradualismThe process of gradual evolutionary change over time.
3575207puntuated equilibriumidea that speciation occurs in spurts followed by long periods of little change
3575208chemical evolutionThe formation of complex organic molecules from simpler inorganic molecules through chemical reactions in the oceans during the early history of the Earth; the first step in the development of life on this planet.
3575209A.I. OparinRussian biochemist who developed one of the first modern theories about the origin of life on Earth; abiogenesis, the spontaneous generation of life from non-living chemical substances. Oparin believed that conditions on primitive Earth were different to those of the present. He suggested that the ancient seas were like a 'primeval soup' which contained many organic compounds. These were created when sunlight, a virtually limitless source of energy, reacted with chemicals in the water. These organic compounds formed the basis of life. They combined, becoming increasingly complex, until living cells were formed
3575210J.B.S. Haldaneestablished the relationship of Mendelian genetics to evolution; estimating spontaneous mutation rates through the observation of harmful or sex-linked genes in populations
3575211Stanley Millertheorized that the early atmosphere of the Earth was probably like the atmosphere now present on Jupiter --i.e., rich in ammonia, methane, and hydrogen.
3575212Endosymbiotic theoryconcerns the origins of mitochondria and plastids (e.g. chloroplasts), which are organelles of eukaryotic cells. According to this theory, these organelles originated as separate prokaryotic organisms which were taken inside the cell as endosymbionts. Mitochondria developed from proteobacteria (in particular, Rickettsiales or close relatives) and chloroplasts from cyanobacteria

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