Evidence of Evolution - AP Biology
Card 1 of 30
Which term describes a rapid burst of evolutionary change?
Which term describes a rapid burst of evolutionary change?
Tap to reveal answer
Punctuated equilibrium. Contrasts with gradual evolutionary change over time.
Punctuated equilibrium. Contrasts with gradual evolutionary change over time.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the bottleneck effect?
What is the bottleneck effect?
Tap to reveal answer
A sharp reduction in population size and genetic diversity. Causes loss of genetic diversity in surviving population.
A sharp reduction in population size and genetic diversity. Causes loss of genetic diversity in surviving population.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes the formation of new species?
What term describes the formation of new species?
Tap to reveal answer
Speciation. Occurs when populations become reproductively isolated.
Speciation. Occurs when populations become reproductively isolated.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does a phylogenetic tree represent?
What does a phylogenetic tree represent?
Tap to reveal answer
Evolutionary relationships among species. Branch points show when lineages diverged from ancestors.
Evolutionary relationships among species. Branch points show when lineages diverged from ancestors.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a monophyletic group?
What is a monophyletic group?
Tap to reveal answer
A group consisting of a single ancestral species and all its descendants. Includes all descendants with no missing branches.
A group consisting of a single ancestral species and all its descendants. Includes all descendants with no missing branches.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which structures indicate divergent evolution?
Which structures indicate divergent evolution?
Tap to reveal answer
Homologous structures. Same structure modified for different functions over time.
Homologous structures. Same structure modified for different functions over time.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the significance of transitional fossils?
What is the significance of transitional fossils?
Tap to reveal answer
They show intermediate forms between ancestral and derived species. Bridge gaps in evolutionary history between major groups.
They show intermediate forms between ancestral and derived species. Bridge gaps in evolutionary history between major groups.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What do analogous structures demonstrate?
What do analogous structures demonstrate?
Tap to reveal answer
Convergent evolution. Similar functions evolved independently in unrelated species.
Convergent evolution. Similar functions evolved independently in unrelated species.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which formula represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
Which formula represents the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
Tap to reveal answer
$p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1$. Where $p$ and $q$ represent allele frequencies in population.
$p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1$. Where $p$ and $q$ represent allele frequencies in population.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the principle of natural selection?
What is the principle of natural selection?
Tap to reveal answer
Survival and reproduction of organisms best suited to the environment. This describes the mechanism driving evolutionary change.
Survival and reproduction of organisms best suited to the environment. This describes the mechanism driving evolutionary change.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a vestigial structure?
What is a vestigial structure?
Tap to reveal answer
A structure with no current function, inherited from an ancestor. Examples include appendix in humans or hip bones in whales.
A structure with no current function, inherited from an ancestor. Examples include appendix in humans or hip bones in whales.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is allopatric speciation?
What is allopatric speciation?
Tap to reveal answer
Speciation due to geographic isolation. Physical barriers prevent gene flow between populations.
Speciation due to geographic isolation. Physical barriers prevent gene flow between populations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the role of mutations in evolution?
What is the role of mutations in evolution?
Tap to reveal answer
Source of genetic variation. Provides raw material for natural selection to act upon.
Source of genetic variation. Provides raw material for natural selection to act upon.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which type of selection favors extreme phenotypes?
Which type of selection favors extreme phenotypes?
Tap to reveal answer
Disruptive selection. Selects against intermediate phenotypes, increases variation.
Disruptive selection. Selects against intermediate phenotypes, increases variation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
How does biogeography provide evidence for evolution?
How does biogeography provide evidence for evolution?
Tap to reveal answer
Species distribution correlates with geographical features and history. Isolation leads to unique species on islands and continents.
Species distribution correlates with geographical features and history. Isolation leads to unique species on islands and continents.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the process by which populations become better suited to their environment.
Identify the process by which populations become better suited to their environment.
Tap to reveal answer
Adaptation. Results from natural selection favoring beneficial traits.
Adaptation. Results from natural selection favoring beneficial traits.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the founder effect?
What is the founder effect?
Tap to reveal answer
Genetic differences in a population founded by a small number of individuals. Small founding population lacks full genetic diversity.
Genetic differences in a population founded by a small number of individuals. Small founding population lacks full genetic diversity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is sympatric speciation?
What is sympatric speciation?
Tap to reveal answer
Speciation without geographic isolation. Can occur through polyploidy or ecological specialization.
Speciation without geographic isolation. Can occur through polyploidy or ecological specialization.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is coevolution?
What is coevolution?
Tap to reveal answer
Reciprocal evolutionary change between interacting species. Examples include flowering plants and their pollinators.
Reciprocal evolutionary change between interacting species. Examples include flowering plants and their pollinators.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a clade?
What is a clade?
Tap to reveal answer
A group of species that includes an ancestral species and its descendants. Represents a complete evolutionary branch on phylogenetic trees.
A group of species that includes an ancestral species and its descendants. Represents a complete evolutionary branch on phylogenetic trees.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the significance of embryological similarities?
What is the significance of embryological similarities?
Tap to reveal answer
Common ancestry. Similar embryonic development patterns indicate shared ancestry.
Common ancestry. Similar embryonic development patterns indicate shared ancestry.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the term for a trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction?
What is the term for a trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction?
Tap to reveal answer
Adaptation. Increases fitness by improving survival or reproduction.
Adaptation. Increases fitness by improving survival or reproduction.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which molecule is commonly used to study molecular homology?
Which molecule is commonly used to study molecular homology?
Tap to reveal answer
DNA. DNA sequences reveal evolutionary relationships between species.
DNA. DNA sequences reveal evolutionary relationships between species.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which type of evidence is provided by DNA sequencing?
Which type of evidence is provided by DNA sequencing?
Tap to reveal answer
Molecular homology. Compares genetic sequences to determine relationships.
Molecular homology. Compares genetic sequences to determine relationships.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is genetic drift?
What is genetic drift?
Tap to reveal answer
Random changes in allele frequencies in a population. More pronounced in smaller populations due to sampling error.
Random changes in allele frequencies in a population. More pronounced in smaller populations due to sampling error.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which term describes the independent evolution of similar traits?
Which term describes the independent evolution of similar traits?
Tap to reveal answer
Convergent evolution. Different species develop similar solutions to environmental challenges.
Convergent evolution. Different species develop similar solutions to environmental challenges.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is an evolutionary tree?
What is an evolutionary tree?
Tap to reveal answer
A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species. Visual representation of phylogenetic relationships over time.
A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species. Visual representation of phylogenetic relationships over time.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which structures are examples of homologous structures?
Which structures are examples of homologous structures?
Tap to reveal answer
Forelimbs of humans and wings of bats. Same bone structure, different functions show common ancestry.
Forelimbs of humans and wings of bats. Same bone structure, different functions show common ancestry.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which type of selection favors intermediate phenotypes?
Which type of selection favors intermediate phenotypes?
Tap to reveal answer
Stabilizing selection. Reduces variation by selecting against extreme phenotypes.
Stabilizing selection. Reduces variation by selecting against extreme phenotypes.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process can lead to genetic divergence in isolated populations?
Which process can lead to genetic divergence in isolated populations?
Tap to reveal answer
Allopatric speciation. Geographic separation reduces gene flow between populations.
Allopatric speciation. Geographic separation reduces gene flow between populations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →