evolutionary biology
Descent with modification
Evolutionary biology is the branch of biology that studies how living organisms have changed over time through processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation.
It examines the origins of species, their adaptation to environments, and the relationships among different life forms.
The field draws on genetics, paleontology, and ecology to explain the diversity of life on Earth.
Her research in evolutionary biology focuses on how antibiotic resistance develops in bacteria.
Adaptive advantage perpetuates species
- fitnessGood physical shape
- reproductive successOffspring contribution to future generations
- environmental pressuresExternal forces affecting organisms
- sexual selectionTrait-driven reproductive advantage
struggle for existence · competitive advantage · predation · camouflage · mimicry · selective pressure · adaptation · Darwin
Gene variant at one locus
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- geneHereditary information unit
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
phenotype · heredity · inheritance · mutation · recombination · genetic drift · gene flow · nucleotide
Classification by common descent
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- cladeMonophyletic taxonomic group
- taxonClassificatory group of organisms
homology · outgroup · tree of life · sister group · rooting · reticulation
Complete vanishing of a species
- mass extinctionLarge-scale species elimination
- endemismGeographic species restriction
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
- disparityMeasurable difference between things
Remains documenting prehistoric life
- transitional fossilSpecimen bridging ancestral groups
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- Cambrian explosionSudden appearance of complex life
- gradualismPhilosophy of incremental change
deep time · geological timescale · paleobiology · extinction event · Burgess Shale
Species' functional environmental position
- vestigial structuresInherited features without function
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- specializationConcentrated expertise in one field
Mixing distinct genetic lines
- assortative matingPairing by shared traits
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
survival of the fittest
Adaptive advantage perpetuates species
- fitnessGood physical shape
- reproductive successOffspring contribution to future generations
- environmental pressuresExternal forces affecting organisms
sexual selection · struggle for existence · competitive advantage · predation · camouflage · mimicry · selective pressure · adaptation · Darwin · Wallace
allele
Gene variant at one locus
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- geneHereditary information unit
genotype · phenotype · heredity · inheritance · mutation · recombination · genetic drift · gene flow · nucleotide · polymorphism
cladistics
Classification by common descent
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- cladeMonophyletic taxonomic group
taxon · homology · outgroup · tree of life · sister group · rooting · reticulation
extinction
Complete vanishing of a species
- mass extinctionLarge-scale species elimination
- endemismGeographic species restriction
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
disparity · fauna · flora · living fossil · keystone species
fossil record
Remains documenting prehistoric life
- transitional fossilSpecimen bridging ancestral groups
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- Cambrian explosionSudden appearance of complex life
gradualism · deep time · geological timescale · paleobiology · extinction event · Burgess Shale
ecological niche
Species' functional environmental position
- vestigial structuresInherited features without function
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
hybridization
Mixing distinct genetic lines
- assortative matingPairing by shared traits
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- biologycells, DNA, cell, gene, bacteriology
- scienceschemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, mathematics
- evolutionnatural selection, mutation, adaptation, speciation, fitness
- life sciencesmedicine, botany, genetics, ecology, pharmacology
- natural historynatural history, natural history museum, naturalist, naturalists, natural philosophers
- human biologygenetics, DNA analysis, nutrition, human origins, human genetics
evolutionary biologycreationism
Divine origin doctrine
creation science · intelligent design · special creation · divine creation · pseudoscience
evolution, biology, evolving, evolved, biological, biologist, evolves, devolution, evolutionist