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Midterm 1
Vocab for MT 1
116
Anthropology
Undergraduate 3
01/25/2015

Additional Anthropology Flashcards

 


 

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Term
Lamarckism
Definition
Incorrect form of evolution. From Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. Suggested that acquired characteristics were passed on to offspring (Ex. a giraffe's neck got longer by stretching to reach leaves. It's offspring acquired these traits). Genetics does not work this way.
Term
Charles Darwin
Definition
Naturalist on the HMS Beagle. Their voyage lasted 5 years with the mission of mapping S. American coast. Darwin collected plants and animals and was deeply affected by the diversity he encountered. When the voyage was over he sought an explanation for the origin of species. His enduring idea is summarized in Darwin's Postulates.
Term
Darwin's Postulates
Definition
1. (This one came from Thomas Malthus) The ability of a population to expand is infinite, but the ability of the environment to support populations is finite.

2. Organisms within populations vary, and this variation affects the ability of organisms to survive and reproduce.

3. Variations are transmitted from parents to offspring.
Term
Birds of the Galapagos (results of study)
Definition
The finches of the Galapagos islands show us how natural selection works. In the 70s there was a sever drought on the islands. This affected seed availability, and many birds died of starvation. During drought, larger beaked birds were at an advantage because small beaked birds have trouble with large seeds.As a result, the mean beak size in the population increased. However, natural selection can produce change or maintain status quo. Large beaked birds have a higher juvenile mortality, and so selection favored an intermediate size beak.
Term
Equilibrium
Definition
A state in which natural selection will maintain stasis (no change).
Term
Types of natural selection
Definition
Directional selection: shifts the frequency towards a particular characteristic.

Stabilizing selection: when selection prefers an intermediate quality, increasing the frequency at the intermediate phenotype.
Term
Who does selection act upon?
Definition
Selection acts upon individuals that are competing with other individuals within populations (that means two members of the SAME population compete with each other.
Term
What two things are individuals competing for?
Definition
Survival and reproductive success.
Term
Fitness
Definition
It is contextual. It is in comparison to others in the group. It can happen at a specific place and time. There is no end goal/optimal form. It can be having more offspring now, or surviving until reproduction is possible.
Term
Selection maximizes whose fitness?
Definition
It maximizes individual fitness, not group fitness.
Term
Reproductive restraint
Definition
Was used to argue for group selection over individual selection. An example of reproductive restraint was seen in birds: they did not lay as many eggs as they could, as too many birds would equal starvation for the group, argued Wynne-Edwards.
Term
Optimal clutch size
Definition
Lack's response to reproductive restraint, said that when there are too many nestlings, they all risk starvation. Thus the optimal clutch size is selected for.
Term
How does natural selection produce complex changes?
Definition
Natural selection allows for the cumulative retention of small changes.Complex adaptations arise through many small steps, with each being favored by selection (example: eye)
Term
Examples of rapid evolution
Definition
Domestication of dogs produced the variety of dog breeds that we now know in the last few thousand years. Radiation of Galapagos finches happened over the course of 500,000 years.
Term
Criticisms to evolution
Definition
Fleeming Jenkin asked how variation is maintained, and where novel variations come from. The problem was that Darwin did not know the mechanics of inheritance.
Term
Gregor Mendel
Definition
Conducted experiments on the inheritance of peas. Showed how inheritance was not about blending.
Term
Gene
Definition
A segment of chromosomal material that produces a recognizable effect on phenotype and segregates as a unit during gamete formation
Term
Allele
Definition
One of two alternative forms of a gene
Term
Dominant allele
Definition
Results in the same phenotype in heterozygous and homozygous forms
Term
Recessive allel
Definition
Expressed in the phenotype only under homozygous conditions
Term
Single locus genes
Definition
Are defined by a single pair of alleles.
Term
Genotype
Definition
The combination of alleles that characterizes an individual at the same set of genetic loci
Term
Phenotype
Definition
The observable characteristics of an individual. Individuals with the same phenotype can have different genotypes.
Term
Somatic cell
Definition
a cell which forms the body; any cell which is not a gamete
Term
Gamete
Definition
a sex cell, such as a sperm or egg
Term
Diploid
Definition
describes cells that have pairs of each chromosome. Somatic cells are diploid
Term
Haploid
Definition
a cell that only has one copy of a chromosome. Sex cells are haploid
Term
Homologous pairs
Definition
pairs of chromosomes. Are only in diploid cells
Term
Mitosis
Definition
the process of division of somatic cells, producing new diploid cells
Term
Meiosis
Definition
the process of cell division which produces haploid gametes
Term
Zygote
Definition
a fertilized ovum (egg). It is formed by the fusion of gametes. When gametes fuse, they create a cell with a full set of chromosomes, rather than only 1 copy.
Term
Nucleus
Definition
a portion of the cell which contains chromosomes.
Term
F0
Definition
the original parents, initial generation
Term
F1
Definition
offspring of original parents
Term
F2
Definition
the generation of which F1 are the parents
Term
How is variation maintained?
Definition
Variation is hidden as recessive alleles in heterozygous individuals. Selection acts on the phenotype, but heterozygous individuals also carry the allele that codes for an alternative phenotype.
Term
What traits are allowed to segregate independently? (that is, they are not inherited together)
Definition
Only traits which are on different chromosomes can segregate independently (with the exception of crossing-over)
Term
Locus
Definition
Particular site on a chromosome where a gene is located. Loci are lined up like beads on a string. Genes on the same chromosome tend to stay together.
Term
Linkage
Definition
the tendency for genes on the same chromosome to stay together
Term
Crossing over/recombination
Definition
Bits of one chromosome can be swapped between members of a homologous pair when chromosomes tangle and break during meiosis. The closer two loci are, the more likely they are to stay together.
Term
When can crossing over occur?
Definition
This can only occur during meiosis.
Term
Which evolves faster, asexual or sexual species?
Definition
Sexual species, as they can have a novel combination of traits that is different than either parent.
Term
What are genes composed of?
Definition
Genes are composed of DNA.
Term
What is DNA?
Definition
double helix of sugar-phosphates joined by sequences of bases: adenine thymine guanine cytosine. Vast number or sequences with the same stability.
Term
What does DNA do?
Definition
Genes (composed of DNA) code for proteins. Proteins are manufactured in cells, and genes instruct how they are built. Some genes have more than instructions for building proteins, they also have regulatory functions for when, where, and which proteins should be manufactured (regulatory functions)
Term
Gene frequency
Definition
The proportion of a particular gene in a population
Term
Hardy-Weinberg equation
Definition
Only holds when all genotypes equally likely to produce gametes.
p2 +2pq +q2 = 1
where p and q are allele frequencies
and p2 and 2pq and q2 are genotype frequencies
Term
Continuous traits
Definition
Examples: height and weight
Affected by genes at many loci, each locus has a small effect on phenotype
Term
Discontinuous traits
Definition
Examples: finger number and tongue rolling
affected by genes at a single loci
Term
Mutations
Definition
Arise spontaneously, are "mistakes" made in DNA replication. Most are fatal, but some can be neutral. Very few lead to DNA changes that can be adaptive.
Term
Deletion
Definition
section of DNA skipped during replication
Term
Addition
Definition
sections of DNA replicated at least twice
Term
Inversion
Definition
sections of DNA replicated in the wrong order
Term
Translocation
Definition
chromosomes read in incorrect order
Term
Explanation of chihuahuas from wolves
Definition
Size of wolves dictated by continuous traits, large wolves have much more + alleles for size, and few - alleles. As they are selected against though (in the case of dogs, by breeding) - traits become much more prominent. Hidden variation explains the chihuahua problem.
Term
Hidden variation
Definition
Occurs for continuous traits. When the effect of each locus is small, environmental variation will blur genetic differences. New combinations with more - alleles will be outside initial range of variation.
Term
Artificial selection
Definition
Domestication, can select for small dogs or big poultry
Term
How is variation maintained?
Definition
It is often hidden and protected. Even when selection is strong, there are loci (sometimes more than one per trait) which remain in the population, but are not allowed to produce phenotypic differences. Mutation also introduces variation at low rates.
Term
Sources of variation
Definition
Recombination/crossing-over
Mutation (at low rates)
Reshuffling of multi-locus gene combinations
Term
Selection of flexible behavior
Definition
Selection can produce behaviors which vary under different situations. For example the soapberry bug has different mating strategies depending on cost/benefit ratio. This flexible strategy is selected for when there are variable conditions, however, it is selected against when the flexible strategy leads individuals to make mistakes.
Term
Character correlations
Definition
Arise when the same genes affect multiple traits. This means that when selection acts on one trait, it affects other correlated traits. This means that selection can also create MALADAPTIONS
Term
Pleiotropy
Definition
Character correlation
Term
When does natural selection produce optimal adaptations?
Definition
Only at equilibrium.
Term
Disequilibrium
Definition
The state in which equilibrium is not yet achieved, and so adaptations will be selected for or against.
Term
Genetic drift
Definition
The randomness of selection. Has greatest affect on small populations (think statistics! You want a larger sample size for normal distribution). Also known as Founder effect.
Term
Local vs. Optimal adaptations
Definition
Some adaptations look poorer than others, for example, compound eyes which are not as effective as lens eyes. Remember cumulative retention, selection changes existing traits.
Term
Climber metaphor
Definition
Has to do with optimal vs. local adaptation. Natural selection is like a climber with the rule "always go up." In some cases this works out and produces the best outcome. Other times you go so far up a path but don't reach an ideal solution, if you could go evolutionarily backwards, you would change directions somewhere before continuing up. However, you can't go backwards evolutionarily. A species may produce a local optimum, but not the global optimum.
Term
Physical and chemical limitations on adapatation
Definition
Heavy animals need strong bones, but strong bones are heavy. Thus there are no heavy flying animals. Similarly, male mammals do not lactate because the hormones that facilitate milk production inhibit testosterone production.
Term
Are populations and species fixed or dynamic?
Definition
Populations and species are dynamic, not fixed types. Intermediates can breed with neighboring intermediates, but separate intermediates cannot interbreed.
Term
Gene flow
Definition
Movement of genes from one population to another, in or out
Term
Biological species concept (and problems)
Definition
Reproductive isolation maintains boundaries. Gene flow causes species to adapt as a unit. Without gene flow, species diverge and adapt to their own habitat.
Problem 1: Gene flow can occur between "good" species. Medium finches mate with large ground finches, why aren't they one species?
Problem 2: Species remain homogeneous without gene flow, some don't mix, but don't diverge either.
Term
Ecological species concept
Definition
Natural selection maintains species. Selection favors certain phenotypes. Hybrids do poorly (small population of hybrids do not grow). Selection maintains differences between species
Term
Allopatric speciation
Definition
External barrier, reproductive isolation
Term
Parapatric speciation
Definition
partial isolation, selection leads to speciation
Term
Sympatric speciation
Definition
no isolation, selection leads to speciation. There needs to be variation and an OPEN NICHE
Term
How speciation types relate to biological vs. ecological species concept
Definition
Allo = biological
Para = intermediate (though Snyder says ecological)
Sym = ecological
Term
Reinforcement
Definition
A factor that leads to hybrids doing poorly. Hybrids are not preferred as mates (sexual isolation)
Term
Character displacement
Definition
Hybrids have more competition in the ecological niche. Hybrids are displaced and don't necessarily fit a particular niche or space.
Term
How character displacement reinforces species boundaries.
Definition
When species coexist, intermediate individuals face more competition. Selection exaggerates differences between species, as seen with Darwin's finches.
Term
Taxonomy
Definition
The science of classifying organisms into different categories. Heirarchical structure reflects real relatedness between organisms. Phylogenetic tree is a hypothetical hierarchy of evolutionary relationships
Term
Phylogeny
Definition
the evolutionary history of a population of taxon
Term
Cladistics
Definition
a theory of classification that differentiates between shared ancestral and shared derived traits. Concerned with the order of branching phylogenetic lineages
Term
Clade
Definition
A group of species with a common evolutionary ancestry
Term
Homology
Definition
Ancestral traits, similarities due to inheritance from a common ancestor
Term
Analogies
Definition
structures that are superficially similar and serve similar functions bet have no common evolutionary relationship. The result of convergent evolution
Term
Convergence
Definition
Nonhomologous similarities in different evolutionary lines
Term
Shared derived feature
Definition
appeared recently in homology and is shared by a relatively small group of closely related taxa
Term
Shared ancestral trait
Definition
a trait which did not appear as recently as derived features and so is evident in a larger number of species.
Term
Cladograms
Definition
phylogenetic diagrams based on shared characteristics and includes visual depictions of time.
Term
naturalistic fallacy
Definition
an error in reasoning that assumes that the way things are is the way they are meant to be, and that natural is automatically good.
Term
Why study primates? Homology reason
Definition
We evolved from something like modern apes. Understanding modern apes will allow us to understand our ancestors
Term
Why study primates? Analogy reason
Definition
We're similar to other primates in terms of morphology, physiology, and behavior
Term
What defines a primate?
Definition
FEATURES OF HANDS & FEET
Opposable big toe
grasping hands
sensitive finger tips
flat nails
FEATURES OF SENSORY ORGANS
highly developed sense of vision
eyes moved forward in head
stereoscopic vision
unspecialized olfactory senses
FEATURES OF LIFE HISTORY
small litters
long pregnancy
long juvenile period
long mother infant bond
long life span
LARGE BRAIN
LIVE IN GROUPS
Term
Strepsirrhini
Definition
One major division of primates:
Have snout & rhinarium
more acute sense of smell (also known as prosimians)
Term
Haplorrhini
Definition
Flatter noses without rhinarium
less reliance on smell
generally corresponds to anthropoids
Term
Tarsiers
Definition
Prosimians, but haplorrhini
they are taxonomic outliers
Term
Primate taxonomy
Definition
PROSIMIANS (STREPSORRHINE, exception: tarsiers)
- lemurs
- lorises
ANTHROPOIDS (HAPLORRHINES)
-New world monkeys
-old world monkeys
-Apes
----Lesser apes
----Great apes
Term
morphology
Definition
an organisms size, shape, and composition
Term
Stabilizing selection
Definition
The process by which an equilibrium state is produced
Term
marsupials
Definition
nonplacental mammals
Term
Fecundity
Definition
the ability to produce offspring
Term
genome
Definition
all the genes carried on all the chromosomes
Term
unlinked
Definition
genes on different chromosomes
Term
protein coding genes
Definition
specify structure of proteins
Term
regulatory genes
Definition
determines the conditions under which the message encoded in a protein coding gene will be expressed
Term
codons
Definition
three letter "words" of base combinaitions which specify a particular amino acid
Term
Process of translating DNA to proteins
Definition
DNA -> mRNA -> ribosome
ribosome reads from mRNA and takes material from tRNA to build a protein
Term
Prokaryotes
Definition
do not have nucleus
Term
Eukaryotes
Definition
have a nucleus
Term
modern synthesis
Definition
the reconciliation of darwin and Mendel, explaining how variation can be maintained with selection and how inheritance occurs
Term
canalized
Definition
nonflexible behavior
Term
plastic
Definition
flexible behavior
Term
Fixation
Definition
when one allele is lost in a population, making all members identical at that particular locus.
Term
adaptive radiation
Definition
when a population diversifies to fill many niches
Term
conspecifics
Definition
actively defending territory from members of own species
Term
Assumptions of Hardy weinberg
Definition
random mating
no gene flow/no immigration
no genetic drift/infinite population
no mutations
natural selection is not acting
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