Gen Bio Evolution Study Guide
Ch 15 and 16
Things you should know about
that (E) word…
-
the
differences between absolute and relative dates, and the ways in which we can
measure them
-
how
radioactive dating is used as a tool for determining ages of materials
-
beliefs
prior to
-
the various people and observations that led
-
the different sources of evidence that support evolution (fossils,
biogeography, anatomy, etc.)
-
the
differences between natural and artificial selection (be able to give examples)
-
how
we can observe natural selection at work
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what
a population is, and why it is important in the study of evolution
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what
the modern synthesis is
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how
terms like gene pool, isolation, microevolution, and species are related
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why variation is important to a population. Why extinction is more likely
for small populations. How chance is related to extinction and survival (think
about the board game you played).
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the concept of Genetic (Hardy Weinberg) equilibrium Does it exist in
nature? Why or why not?
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the
violations of HW equilibrium, and be able to give examples of each
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the
importance of mutation, and the importance of natural selection to the process
of evolution
-
how “success” in evolution is measured (is it really the number who
survive?)
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the
types of natural selection and their outcomes (directional, stabilizing,
disruptive)
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why
there’s no such thing as a perfect organism in natural selection (I gave
several examples here)
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how
natural selection and evolution can be a problem to humanity (think about
pests)
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how
to define a species, what the different concepts are, and the limitations to
each definition
-
the
concept of reproductive isolation and the mechanisms/barriers that maintain
isolation
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the
differences in concepts between gradualism and punctuated equilibrium as models
of evolution as well as the evidence for each
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how/why
the
-
how
microevolution, speciation, and macroevolution are inter-related
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the
concept of mass extinctions and their role in evolution