Evolution Flashcards
What is evolution
The gradual change in species over time
What is natural selection
Organisms with beneficial traits survive and reproduce
Who proposed the theory of natural selection
Charles Darwin
What is a mutation
A change in the DNA that may lead to variation
What is selective breeding
The process of breeding organisms with desired traits to ensure that it is passed on to the next generation
What is speciation
Formation of a new species due to evolution
What is genetic variation
Difference in DNA among individuals
What are fossils
Remains of ancient organisms used as evidence of evolution
What causes extinction
Changes in environment, new predators, disease, and competition
Why was Darwin’s theory controversial
It conflicted with religious beliefs and lacked DNA evidence at the time
Describe the process of evolution
- There is variation in a population
- Some organisms posses beneficial traits
- These organisms are move likely to survive reproduce
- These traits are passed onto the offspring so they are more likely to survive and reproduce
- Each time time these genes are passed on they change, resulting in evolution
What was Lamarck’s theory about evolution and natural selection
Lamarck believed that during lifetime the more an organism uses certain body parts, the stronger it will become and that these changes can be passed on to the offspring
