Punctuated Equilibrium (Grade 12 NSC Matric Life Sciences): Flashcards
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Punctuated equilibrium pattern
Punctuated equilibrium pattern
Long stasis periods + brief rapid evolutionary change bursts
Stasis in punctuated equilibrium
Stasis in punctuated equilibrium
Long periods where species remain relatively unchanged
Developers of punctuated equilibrium & year
Developers of punctuated equilibrium & year
Eldredge and Gould in 1972
Gradualism (phyletic gradualism)
Gradualism (phyletic gradualism)
Darwin's theory: species evolve slowly & steadily over time
Main evidence for punctuated equilibrium
Main evidence for punctuated equilibrium
Gaps in fossil record; absence of transitional fossils
Transitional fossils (missing links)
Transitional fossils (missing links)
Intermediate forms showing step-by-step changes between species
Trigger for rapid evolutionary change
Trigger for rapid evolutionary change
Rapid environmental changes creating intense selective pressure
Why species stay stable in equilibrium periods
Why species stay stable in equilibrium periods
Well-adapted to environment; less pressure for change
Reason transitional fossils are rare
Reason transitional fossils are rare
Evolutionary change happens too quickly in geological terms
Punctuated equilibrium vs Darwin's theory
Punctuated equilibrium vs Darwin's theory
Builds upon & refines Darwin's ideas, doesn't contradict