Download Unit 8 Study Guide

Unit 8 Study Guide
Test: 2/27/17
Binomial
nomenclature
Classification/Taxonomy
What is a taxon (or taxa)?
A group of organisms that are grouped together because of relatedness
Can you list the levels of taxonomy in order from most specific to least specific?
Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Domain
Downsides of Linnaean classification in the past?
Based on only physical appearance, no other forms of evidence were known
How many domains are there?
3 – Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya
What makes the domains different from each other?
Bacteria – single celled, prokaryotic,
Archaea – single celled, prokaryotic, tough exterior
Eukarya – multi/single celled, eukaryotic
Origins of life
How old is earth estimated to be? How old is life on earth?
Earth: 4.5 billion years old; Life: 3.5 billion years old
What did the Miller-Urey experiment discover?
That early building blocks of life (amino acids) can be created from Earth’s early
atmosphere with no oxygen
What is endosymbiotic theory?
Theory that support the claim early life was prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
were formed by combining different prokaryotic cells
Darwin’s early work
What did Darwin mean by “variations”?
Differences of similar organisms from one another. (beak size, height, shape,
color)
Do you know what catastrophism, uniformitarianism, and gradualism are?
Catastrophism – changes in Earth/living things from natural disasters
Uniformitarianism – changes are at a consistent rate
Gradualism – changes occur very slowly over time
What does it mean if a species has high fitness?
It is likely to survive and pass on inheritable traits to offspring that can do the
same
Define natural selection
When the most beneficial traits are passed on in successive generations
Darwin’s early work
What factors contribute to natural selection?
Descent with modification, Overproduction, Adaptations, Competition
What are populations?
Number of species in a given area
What are adaptations?
Changes made that help are organisms better survive it’s surroundings
What is artificial selection?
When humans cater what traits will be passed on in future generations
Evidence of evolution
What are homologous structures?
Structures that are similar in design but different in function – show relatedness
What are vestigial structures?
Structures that are unnecessary and “left over” from evolution – show links in
distantly related organisms
What are analogous structures?
Structures that are different in design but similar in function – show they are
not closely related
Evidence of Evolution
How do the following support the theory of evolution?
Fossils –
Give a relative date for how old organisms are – compare change over time
Biogeography –
distribution of organisms over areas over time might show relatedness
Embryology –
comparing embryos of different organisms – look more alike, likely more related
Molecular evidence – Molecular evidence is the most accurate form of evidence
DNA/amino acid/protein analysis shows how close organisms are related by comparing similar
sequences among millions of combinations
Direct observation –
has been seen in person by scientists (example: antibiotic resistance)
Comparative anatomy –
comparing body parts to one another (homologous/analogous/vestigial structures)
Mechanisms of evolution (other than
natural selection)
What is gene flow?
The movement of organisms into new populations to move in new traits
What is genetic drift?
Random chance events eliminate traits due to events that cause loss (disease,
disaster, predation)
Natural selection
Olson’s a dummy – cross this out
Mutations
Random changes in DNA sequence causing new phenotype
Hominid Evolution
a.
How do today’s humans differ from the most recent common
ancestors?
i.
Skull size – todays humans have a large skull
ii.
Jaw size – today we have a smaller jaw
iii.
Digestive tract – less complex - shorter, process variety of foods
iv.
Language development – Humans have written and spoken this
v.
Tools/fire usage – Large brain = making important developments