midterm review
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 11:05 AM
Evolution: the study of both adaptive and non adaptive change over time in populations, the ori
and extinction of species, and the relationships among living things
Evolution overall concepts
1. The processes by which biodiversity originates and is interrelated (evolution, with
emphasis on natural selection and “tree thinking”).
2. Variability occurs at multiple levels: variation (population) vs. diversity (species) and
may be visible (phenotypic) or not necessarily visible (genetic).
3. Causes and consequences of variation at population & species level.
4. The factors determining, relatedness and phylogeny, genetic isolation.
5. Adaptation and the pros/cons of specialization, invasions and radiations.
6. Consequences for competition (short-term, among conspecifics or between species),
speciation (long-term), and extinction risk (long-term).
Species: group of organisms that are genetically separate and share genes with each other in the
same species, with very little gene flow from other groups
- Being incapable of interbreeding means the species are permanently genetically separate
Biological levels of organization
Biosphere: regions of the earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere inhabited by living things
Ecosystem: a community plus the physical environment
- Formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environme
- Diversity includes the variety and relative abundance of species
- Biomes are distinct eco systems that form due to shared physical climate (temperatur
and moisture)
Community: interacting populations
- Unique properties include richness, trophic level, and interactions
Population: organisms of the same species
Organism: an individual; complex individuals composed of organ systems
Organ System: composed of several organs working together
Organ: composed of tissues functioning to achieve a specific task
Tissue: a group of cells with a common structure and function
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 11:05 AM
Evolution: the study of both adaptive and non adaptive change over time in populations, the ori
and extinction of species, and the relationships among living things
Evolution overall concepts
1. The processes by which biodiversity originates and is interrelated (evolution, with
emphasis on natural selection and “tree thinking”).
2. Variability occurs at multiple levels: variation (population) vs. diversity (species) and
may be visible (phenotypic) or not necessarily visible (genetic).
3. Causes and consequences of variation at population & species level.
4. The factors determining, relatedness and phylogeny, genetic isolation.
5. Adaptation and the pros/cons of specialization, invasions and radiations.
6. Consequences for competition (short-term, among conspecifics or between species),
speciation (long-term), and extinction risk (long-term).
Species: group of organisms that are genetically separate and share genes with each other in the
same species, with very little gene flow from other groups
- Being incapable of interbreeding means the species are permanently genetically separate
Biological levels of organization
Biosphere: regions of the earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere inhabited by living things
Ecosystem: a community plus the physical environment
- Formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environme
- Diversity includes the variety and relative abundance of species
- Biomes are distinct eco systems that form due to shared physical climate (temperatur
and moisture)
Community: interacting populations
- Unique properties include richness, trophic level, and interactions
Population: organisms of the same species
Organism: an individual; complex individuals composed of organ systems
Organ System: composed of several organs working together
Organ: composed of tissues functioning to achieve a specific task
Tissue: a group of cells with a common structure and function
