AP Biology
Evolution Unit
Study Guide
Chapter 22
Biogeography: Explain how evidence from biogeography supports the theory of evolution by natural
selection.
Comparative Embryology: Explain how evidence from comparative embryology supports the theory of
evolution by natural selection.
Anatomical Homologies (homologous structures, vestigial organs): Explain how evidence from anatomical
homologies supports the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Molecular Homologies: Explain how evidence from molecular homologies supports the theory of evolution
by natural selection.
The Fossil Record: Explain how evidence from the fossil record supports the theory of evolution by natural
selection.
Evolutionary relationships & common ancestry: How is common ancestry useful in determining
evolutionary relationships between species?
Natural selection: Summarize this process.
Natural selection in Action: How does resistance (to drugs, pesticides, etc.) evolve in certain populations of
organisms?
Chapter 23
Hardy Weinberg: What is Hardy Weinberg equilibrium? What conditions must be met for it to occur?
Given allele frequency (A or a) be able to calculate genotype frequencies (AA, Aa, aa) & vice versa.
Mutation & sexual recombination: Describe the role of mutation and sexual recombination play in making
evolution possible.
Genetic drift: What is it? How does it work? How do the founder and bottleneck effects relate?
Gene flow: What is it? How does it work?
Modes of selection: What are the following types of selection? How do they work? Provide examples of
each: directional selection, stabilizing selection, disruptive selection, sexual selection.
Preservation of genetic variation: How do diploidy, heterozygote advantage and frequency dependent
selection preserve variation in populations?
Chapter 24
Reproductive Isolation: What are the following types of isolation? How do they work? Provide examples of
each: gametic, temporal, behavioral, habitat, mechanical. For the AP exam – reduced hybrid viability,
reduced hybrid fertility, hybrid breakdown & differentiate between prezygotic and postzygotic barriers.
Evolutionary change: Compare and contrast anagenesis and cladogenesis. Compare and contrast allopatric
and sympatric speciation. Define polyploidy and explain how it has resulted in speciation within plants.
Describe how the process of adaptive radiation occurs.
Tempo of speciation: compare and contrast models of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium.
Chapter 25
Sorting Homology from Analogy: Compare and contrast homology and analogy and divergent and
convergent evolution.
Hierarchical classification: Identify the taxonomic groups (taxa) starting with species and ending with
domain that taxonomists use to classify organisms.
Linking classification and Phylogeny: Using phylogenetic trees be able to determine evolutionary
relationships between species.
Cladistics: Differentiate between the terms monophyletic and polyphyletic and how they are used.