Chapter 22 Flashcards
Convergent Evolution
the evolution of similar features in independent evolutionary lineages
analogous
having characteristics that are similar because of convergent evolution, not homology
homology
similarity of characteristics of different species based upon their descent from a common evolutionary ancestor.
paleontology
the scientific study of fossils
evolutionary tree
branching diagram which represents hypothesis about evolutionary relationships about groups of organisms
natural selection
a process in which certain individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at other individuals because of those traits
adaptation
a characteristic of an organism which enhances its survival and reproduction in a specific environment
stratum
a rock layer formed when new layers of sediment cover old ones and compress them
biogeography
the scientific study of the past and present geographic distributions of species
evolution
“decent with modification” - Darwin; the process which species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over time; change in genetic composition of a population from generation to generation
vestigial structure
a feature of an organism that is a historical remnant of a structure that served a function in the organisms ancestors
artificial selection
selective breeding of domesticated plants and animals to encourage desirable traits
homologous structures
similar structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry
