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Chapter 18
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18
Biology
12th Grade
01/18/2010

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Term
species
Definition
a group of organisms that are capable of producing fertile offsprings (only breed with each other)
Term
population
Definition
a group of organism of the same species that live in a define geographic area at the same time
Term
evolution
Definition
any cumulative genetic changes in a population from generation to generation (evolution leads to differences in popultions and explains the orgin of all organisms that exist today or have existed)
Term
bioremediation
Definition
a method to clean up a hazardous waste site that uses microorganisms to break down toxic polutans or plants to selectivly accumulate toxins
Term
adaptation
Definition
an evoultionary modification that improves an organisms chances at survival and reproductive success
Term
index fossil
Definition
fossils restricted to a narrow period of geologic time and found in the same sedimentary layers in difference geographic areas
Term
sedimentary rock
Definition
layers of rock where the oldest layer is on the bottom
Term
vestigial structures
Definition
structure that exists but has no function
Term
molecular clock
Definition
a comparison of the DNA nucleotide sequences of related organisms to estimate when they diverge from one another during the course of evolution. makes use of the average rate which a particular gene evolves.
Term
phylogency
Definition
the complete evolutionary history of a group of organisms
Term
Distinguish between artificial selection and natural selection
Definition

artificial is the selection by humans of traits that are desirable in plants or animals and breeding only those individuals with the desired traits.

natural is the tendency of organisms that have favorable adaptations to their environment to survive and become the parents of the next generation.

Term
Discuss the 4 main postulates of Darwin
Definition

1. genetic variation: exists among individuals in populations.

2. reproductive ability: of each species causes populations to geometrically increase over time.

3. organisms compete: for resources such as food, living space, water, and mates.

4. offspring: with the most favorable characterisitics are most likely to survive and reproduce. pass genetic characteristics to next generation.

Term
Importance of mutations to evolution
Definition
they provide genetic variablity that natural selection acts on during evolution
Term
synthetic theory of evolution relate to Darwin
Definition
it combines Darwin's theory with modern genetics and explains why individuals in a popultion vary and how species adapt to their environment
Term
evidence exists to support evolution (developmental/molecular)
Definition
Term
relate biogeographical to evolution
Definition
things can evovle diffenent developmentally based on their geographical relation for example: galapagos finches
Term
Compare and contrast homologous and homoplastic
Definition

homologous are divergent structures (different functions but same history)

homoplastic are convergent structures (developing for same function but not the same history)

Term
Phylogenetic trees and how do they indicate relationships
Definition
they are diagrams showing lines of decent and can be derived from differences in a given DNA nucleotide sequence.
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