Chapter 15 - Vocab

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

Well-tested hypothesis

Question 2

Fossil

Answer 2

Preserved remains of ancient organisms

Question 3

Artificial Selection

Answer 3

Nature provided the variation, and humans selected those variations that they fund useful.

Question 4

Struggle for Existance

Answer 4

Members of each species compete regularly to obtain food, living space, and other necessities of life.

Question 5

Fitness

Answer 5

Ability of an individual to survive and reproduce in it specific environment.

Question 6

Adaptation

Answer 6

Any inherited characteristic that increases an organism’s chance of survival

Question 7

Survival of the Fittest

Answer 7

Process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called natural selection

Question 8

Natural Selection

Answer 8

Another name for survival of the fittest.

Question 9

Descent with Modification

Answer 9

Principle that each living species has descended, with changes, from other species over time

Question 10

Common Descent

Answer 10

Principle that all living things have a common ancestor

Question 11

Homologous Structure

Answer 11

Structures that have different mature forms in different organisms but develop from the same embryonic tissues

Question 12

Vestigial organ

Answer 12

Organ that serves no useful function in an organism

Question 13

Evolution

Answer 13

Process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.