Biology (B)

Vocabulary

allopatric speciation

Speciation that occurs when groups from the same species are geographically isolated physically for long periods.

artificial selection

Occurs when humans select which plants or animals to breed to pass specific traits on to the next generation.

behavioral isolation

The separation of a population from the rest of its species due to some behavioral barrier, such as having different mating seasons.

evolutionary tree

Diagram used to represent the relationships between different species and their common ancestors.

genotype

The genes that make up an individual.

geographic isolation

The separation of a population from the rest of its species due to some physical barrier, such as a mountain range, an ocean, or great distance.

macroevolution

Big evolutionary changes that result in new species.

microevolution

Small changes in inherited traits; does not lead to the creation of a new species.

natural selection

Causes beneficial heritable traits to become more common in a population, and unfavorable heritable traits become less common.

primate

A group of related mammal species that have binocular vision, specialized hands and feet for grasping, and enlarged and differentiated brains; includes humans, chimpanzees, the apes, monkeys, and lemurs.

reproductive isolation

allopatric and sympatric speciation; isolation due to geography or behavior, resulting in the inability to reproduce.

speciation

The creation of a new species; either by natural or artificial selection.

sympatric speciation

Speciation that occurs when groups from the same species stop interbreeding, because of something other than physical separation, such as behavior.

temporal isolation

Isolation due to different mating seasons.