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AP Biology Evolution Vocabulary Flashcards

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9770314143AdaptationCharacteristics passed down to an organism over generations that help it to survive and reproduce in a specific environment0
9770314144MutationChange in the nucleotide sequence of an organisms DNA (or RNA in a virus)1
9770314145SpeciationEvolutionary process where a species splits into multiple species2
9770314146SpeciesMembers of the same population that are able to interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring from that same population, but not with a different population3
9770314147Sympatric SpeciationFormation of new species in populations that live in the same geographic area4
9770314148Vestigial OrganA feature on an organism that served as a function for their ancestors5
9770314149Allotropic SpeciationFormation of a new species in populations that are geographical isolated from one another6
9770314150Artificial SelectionUnnatural selective breeding of plants and animals to gain desirable traits in an offspring7
9770314151Biological 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
9770314152Common AncestorWhen species share the same ancestor from many years ago9
9770314153FossilA preserved remnant or impression of an organism from many years ago10
9770314154GeologyScience that deals with Earth's physical structures and history11
9770314155Natural SelectionProcess where organisms have a certain inherited trait that allows them to survive and reproduce in an environment better than other organisms.12
9770314156PolyploidyChromosome alteration where an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes. Result of accident in cell division.13
9770314157PopulationGroup of individuals of the same species that live in the same area and are able to produce viable and fertile offspring14
9770314158Postzygotic BarrierPrevents hybrid organisms from developing into viable, fertile adults. Examples: 1. Reduced Hybrid Fertility 2. Reproductive Isolation 3. Hybrid Breakdown15
9770314159Prezygotic 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
9770314160Directional SelectionNatural selection where organisms on ONE end of the phenotypic spectrum are able to survive and reproduce better than other organisms.17
9770314161Disruptive SelectionWhen organisms on TWO ends of the phenotypic spectrum are able to survive and reproduce better than organisms with intermediate phenotype18
9770314162EvolutionChange in genotype of organism from generation to generation that allow the organism to be different than their ancestors. Descent with modification.19
9770314163Evolutionary FitnessDescent where they have a specific trait that will not allow them to die out20
9770314164Homologous StructuresStructures in organisms that are similar21
9770314165HomologySimilarity in characteristics resulting from shared ancestry22
9770314166HybridOffspring that results from the mating of two different species23
9770314167Reproductive IsolationBiological factors that prevent members from two species from producing viable, fertile offspring24

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