Adaptations and Evolution Flashcards
What does the Theory of Evolution explain?
The Theory of Evolution explains how a species gradually changes over time through the process of natural selection.
Explain how evolution occurs through natural selection
Populations have variations
Some variations are favorable
More offspring are produced than survive
Those that survive have more favorable traits
Because of this, a population will change over time
What does “there is variation within a population” mean?
Members of the same population are different from one another.
How does variation in a population help an organism to survive?
Organisms born with variations that are considered favorable are better adapted to their environment and are therefore more likely to survive
What are adaptations?
A physical characteristic or behavior that allows an organism to live successfully in its environment.
What is camouflage?
Camouflage allows an organism to blend in with its surroundings.
Organisms that are camouflaged are more difficult to be seen by either their predators or their prey.
What is mimicry?
Mimicry is when one organism gains protection by looking like another organism.
What are some reasons animals might have adaptations that draw attention to themselves?
- Attract a mate
- Scare predators
- Warn predators
What are some ways animals adapt through their behaviors?
Being nocturnal, being diurnal, herding, running in irregular patterns to evade predators, parents diverting predators to save their young, hunting as a pack, hiding or storing food, hibernating.
Who came up with the Theory of Evolution through natural selection?
Charles Darwin
Using an example from class (peppered moths, fish activity, etc) explain how it demonstrates natural selection in a population.
Peppered moth- Peppered moths vary in their coloring. There are light-colored peppered moth and dark colored peppered moths. Before the industrial revolution, light-colored moths were able to camouflage well and represented the majority of the population since it was difficult for the birds that eat them to see them. During the industrial revolution, the peppered moth’s environment changed from light colored trees covered in lichen to dark trees covered in soot. Because of this, the light-colored moths no longer camouflaged so birds found them easily and ate them. The dark-colored peppered moths began to camouflage on the dark trees and therefore began to represent the majority of the population since they were eaten less frequently by the birds. The change in environment caused the dark color variation to be naturally selected.
Fish- Depending upon the random variations or mutations the fish were born with, they would either be likely to swim fast or swim slowly based on the shape of their body. Fish with longer, more sleek shapes would swim faster. Fish with shorter tails and wider bodies may swim slower. Depending upon the color variation, the fish would either live in the red coral environment (red fish) or the green coral environment (green fish) in order to camouflage better.
How are fossils used as evidence for evolution?
Fossils provide evidence that two species with a common ancestor can develop differently in different locations (due to different environmental pressures).
Fossils show how life has changed over time.
Fossil record shows that early life was simple and has become more complex with time.
How are biological features (vestigial organs, structures, embryonic development) used as evidence for evolution?
Species have vestigial organs. These are physical structures that are no longer used but remain from our ancestors. They are usually less developed as a result.
Living organisms that share a common ancestor have similar structures (for example, same bone structure in arms/wings).
Many species look similar in their early development. This is evidence that they share a common ancestor. As the embryo develops it starts to take on characteristics specific to its species.
