Term
|
Definition
| The evolutionary history of a species or group of related species |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A time scale established by geologists that reflects a consistent sequence of historical periods grouped into 4 eras:
* Precambrian
* Paleozoic
* Mesozoic
* Cenozoic
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Measuring of certain radioactive isotopes in fosils or rocks. Dates are determines based on the half-life of the isotope being measured |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The number of years it takes for 50% of the original sample of an isotope to decay. Used in radiometric dating |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The study of biological diversity in an evolutionary context. Includes tracing phylogeny, taxonomy |
|
|
Term
| In order from broadest to most specific, what are the 8 taxonomic classifications currently used in phylogeny? |
|
Definition
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The named taxonomic unit at any given level |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Reflects the hierarchical classification of taxonomic groups nested within more inclusive groups.
[image] |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A phylogenetic diagram based on cladistics. Constructed from a series of two-way branch points. Each branch point represents the divergence of two species from a common ancestor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An evolutionary branch in a cladogram |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A monophyletic taxon is made up of an ancestral species and all of its decendants. Only monophyletic groups qualify as a legitimate taxa derivd from cladograms
[image] |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A taxon consisting of a common ancestor and some, but not all of its decendants
[image] |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Includes decendants but not the common ancestor
[image] |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Evolvement of similar structures in response to similar environments or ways of life, rather than because of a recent common ancestor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Structural similarity between two species that are not closely related. Due to convergent evolution. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Ancestral state. Characteristic found in a common ancestor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Derived state. Characteristics found in a decendant, but not in its ancestor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Shared derived chatacter. Characteristics found in a group of decendants, but not in their common ancestor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Shared ancestral character. Characteristic shared by decendants and ancestor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The group of taxa being studied in relation to the outgroup |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A species or group of species that is closely related to the group of species being studied, but clearly not as closely related as the study-group members are to each other. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Using the least complex explanation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Evolutionary timing methods based on the observation that at least some regions of genomes evolve at constant rates. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Rock made of banded domes of sediment in which are found the most ancient forms of life. Prokaryotes dating back as far as 3.5 billion years |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 19th century concept that life could emerge from inanimate objects |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Principle that all life arises from the reproduction of existing life |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An enzymatic RNA molecule that catalyzes reactions during RNA splicing |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Aggregates of abiotically produced molecules. They are not capable of precise reproduction, but they maintain an internal chemical environment different from their surroundings and exhibit some of the properties of life, including metabolism and excitability. May have formed from abioticaly produced organic compounds, as in the Miller-Urey experiment |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Gives a general age of an organism relative to another organism |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Provides an actual number of years for an organism |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Structual similarity resulting from a shared ancestory |
|
|
