chp 15 vocab

Question 1

scientific theory

Answer 1

a well supported testable explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world

Question 2

Darwin made observations and collected evidence that made him propose a revolutionary hypothesis about the way life changes over time

Answer 2

he proposed a hypothesis

Question 3

fossils

Answer 3

the remains of ancient organisms

Question 4

Darwin observed that the characteristics of many animals and plants varied noticeably among the different islands

Answer 4

what did Darwin observe

Question 5

artificial selection

Answer 5

nature provided the variation and humans selected the variations that they found useful

Question 6

struggle for existence

Answer 6

members of each species compete regularly to obtain food, living space and other necessities for life

Question 7

fitness

Answer 7

the ability of an individual to survive and reproduce in its specific environment

Question 8

adaptation

Answer 8

any inherited characteristics that increases an organisms chance of survival

Question 9

survival of the fittest

Answer 9

individuals that are better suited to their environment and survive and reproduce successfully

Question 10

natural selection

Answer 10

another word for survival of the fittest

Question 11

decent with modification

Answer 11

each living species has descended with changes from other species over time

Question 12

common descent

Answer 12

we have common ancestors of all living things

Question 13

homologous structure

Answer 13

structured that have different mature forms but develop from the same embryonic tissue

Question 14

vestigial organ

Answer 14

organs that serve little or no function

Question 15

evolution

Answer 15

change over time and process by which modern organisms have defended from ancient organisms