adaptation

Created by

liz h

Cards (88)

What is a clone in biological terms?
Genetically identical DNA, cells, or organisms
How is a species defined?
A group of individuals that can interbreed to produce viable and fertile offspring
What constitutes a population in biology?
A group of the same species living within the same geographic location
What is a gene?
A sequence of nucleotides within DNA that codes for a specific protein or RNA
What are alleles?
Different versions of a gene coding for the same trait
What is a genotype?
The combination of alleles for a given gene
How is a phenotype defined?
The visible expression of a genotype in an environment
What is crossing over in meiosis?
A process where homologous chromosomes exchange alleles, creating recombinant chromatids
What does random assortment refer to in meiosis?
The arrangement of one pair of homologous chromosomes does not influence the arrangement of others
What is a gene pool?
All the alleles in a population
What is a mutation?
A permanent change to DNA that can provide new alleles and genetic variation
What is gene flow?
Change in allelic frequency due to exchange of genes between populations
What is genetic drift?
Change in allelic frequency due to chance
How does natural selection work?
It favors the reproductive success of more biologically fit individuals
What is selective pressure?
An environmental change that favors the reproductive success of some variants over others
What does biological fitness measure?
An organism’s ability to produce viable fertile offspring
What is evolution?
The gradual change in species over many generations
What is adaptation in biology?
A phenotypic trait that enables an organism to survive in its environment
What is binary fission?
The division of a prokaryotic cell to produce two genetically identical daughter cells
What is the difference between polygenic and monogenic traits?
Polygenic traits are controlled by multiple genes, while monogenic traits are controlled by one gene
Give an example of a polygenic trait.
Height
Give an example of a monogenic trait.
Blood type
What is genetic diversity?
The variety of different alleles within a population or species
What is allelic frequency?
How common a given allele is within a population or species
How does random fusion of gametes contribute to variation?
It results in new combinations of alleles in the zygote by chance
How do new alleles arise in an isolated population?
New alleles can arise via mutations in DNA
Where must a mutation occur for it to become common in a population?
In gametes or germ-line cells that produce zygotes
How can new alleles arise in an open population?
Through gene flow via migration and interbreeding
List an example of a selective agent.
A hot climate
How does migration impact a gene pool?
It can change allelic frequencies and increase or decrease genetic diversity
Name an adaptation in plants that conserves water.
A waxy cuticle on the surface of leaves
What is the difference between structural, biochemical/physiological, and behavioral adaptations?
Structural adaptations are physical features, biochemical adaptations involve molecules and processes, and behavioral adaptations are actions organisms take
What is an independent variable?
The variable changed on purpose during an experiment
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that changes in response to the independent variable
What are controlled variables?
All the variables kept constant in an experiment
What is continuous data?
Data that is measurable with infinite values between all other values
What is discontinuous data?
Data described in words or counted and not measurable
What influences the type of graph used to display data?
The independent variable on the horizontal or X axis
When should a line graph be used?
If the independent variable is continuous
What does precision refer to in experimental results?
How closely two or more experimental results agree with each other