Exam 3-textbook highlights | ZOL 445 - Evolution (W), Quizzes of Theory of Evolution

Download Exam 3-textbook highlights | ZOL 445 - Evolution (W) and more Quizzes Theory of Evolution in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 studying adaptation: evolutionary analysis of form & function DEFINITION 1 a plausible hypothesis about the adaptive value of a trait is the beginning of a careful study, not the end TERM 2 all hypotheses must be tested DEFINITION 2 alternative explanations must also be considered TERM 3 experiments DEFINITION 3 experiments are the most powerful method for testing hypotheses a good experiment restricts the difference between study groups to a single variable good experimental designs test the predictions made by several alternative hypotheses in an ideal experiment, the control & experimental groups are treated identically except for exactly 1 factor large sample sizes are better but researchers have to trade off the costs & benefits of collecting even more data TERM 4 observational studies DEFINITION 4 when an experiment is impractical, a careful observational study may be the next best method for evaluating a hypothesis a good observational study seeks to find circumstances in nature that resemble an experiment TERM 5 comparative method DEFINITION 5 the comparative method seeks to evaluate hypotheses by testing for patterns across species, such as correlations among traits, or correlations between traits & features of the environment proper application of the comparative method requires knowledge of the evolutionary relationships among the species under study when formulating & testing hypotheses about adaptation, biologists must keep in mind that organisms, & the lives they live, are complex TERM 6 phenotypic plasticity DEFINITION 6 genetically identical individuals reared in different environments may be different in form, physiology, or behavior;such individuals demonstrate phenotypic plasticity when there is genetic variation for the degree or pattern of phenotypic plasticity, plasticity itself can evolve plasticity is adaptive when it allows individuals to adjust their phenotype so as to increase their fitness in the particular environment in which they find themselves TERM 7 trade-offs & constraints DEFINITION 7 it is impossible to build a perfect organism organismal design reflects a compromise among competing demands resources devoted to one body part or function may be resources stolen from another part or function traits or behaviors that would appear to be adaptive may, in fact, be physiologically or mechanically problematic TERM 8 constrained by lack of genetic variation DEFINITION 8 populations sometimes lack the genetic variation that would provide the raw material to evolve particular adaptations TERM 9 selection operates on different levels DEFINITION 9 organisms harbor populations of cells, organelles, and nucleotide sequences;selection can operate w/in these populations TERM 10 multilevel selection DEFINITION 10 selection at the level of cells, organelles, or sequences may be in opposition to selection at the level of whole organisms