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All Flashcards

What is the effect of a physical barrier on a population?
A physical barrier can lead to allopatric speciation, where two populations evolve into separate species due to the inability to interbreed.
What is the effect of climate change on species adaptation?
Climate change forces species to adapt to new temperature regimes, altered habitats, and changing resource availability, or face decline and potential extinction.
What is the effect of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity?
Habitat fragmentation reduces gene flow between populations, leading to decreased genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to environmental changes.
What is the effect of different breeding times on a population?
Populations in the same area stop reproducing due to different breeding times, leading to sympatric speciation.
What is the effect of different breeding seasons on a population?
Populations in the same area stop reproducing due to different breeding seasons, leading to sympatric speciation.
What is the effect of competition on a population?
Competition for resources (food, mates, space) favors individuals with traits that give them a competitive edge, leading to adaptation.
What is the effect of not adapting on a population?
If a population doesn’t evolve, it faces higher death rates and the risk of extinction.
What is the effect of environmental changes on populations?
When environments change, populations can diverge. One group might adapt one way, while another adapts differently.
What is the effect of reproductive isolation on a population?
Reproductive isolation prevents gene flow between populations, allowing them to evolve independently and potentially become distinct species.
What is the effect of genetic diversity on a population?
Populations with diverse genes are more resilient to disasters and environmental changes, increasing their chances of survival.
What is 'survival of the fittest'?
Having the genes that best match the environment, increasing the likelihood of thriving and passing those genes on.
What is the role of environmental pressures in adaptation?
Environmental pressures like climate change, competition, and predators drive adaptation by favoring certain traits.
Why is genetic diversity important for a population's survival?
Populations with diverse genes are more resilient to disasters and environmental changes.
How do ecosystems drive evolution?
Environments are always shifting, and to survive, populations must keep up with these changes through evolution.
What happens if a population doesn't adapt to environmental changes?
It faces higher death rates and the risk of extinction.
What are the three types of adaptations?
Genetic, behavioral, and physiological.
Define adaptation.
Process where species change over time to better fit their environment through genetic, behavioral, or physiological changes.
Define evolution.
The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.
Define allopatric speciation.
Speciation that occurs when a physical barrier prevents two populations from interbreeding.
Define sympatric speciation.
Speciation that occurs when populations in the same area stop reproducing due to different breeding times, seasons, or incompatibilities.
Define reproductive isolation.
When two populations can no longer interbreed, leading to the formation of separate species.
Define genetic diversity.
The variety of genes within a population or species.