Evolution chap 6 Flashcards
Natural selection
(nature selects) species with the favorable trait survives longer and reproduce, passing down their traits
adaptation
a trait that gives an organism an advantage to survive
variation
the offspring are not all the same, caused by sexual reproduction
competition
organisms compete for limited resources to survive
survival of the fittest
the organisms with the best traits have the best chance of surviving and then passing down those traits
Fossil
any trace or remains of an organism
amber and ice
an organism will not decay if its completely protected from decomposers (bacteria)
petrification
minerals replace the tissues of the organisms including bones
casts molds and imprints
an organism is covered in layer of rock particles which harden while the organism decays
Relative dating sedimentary rock
compare fossils found in different layers of sedimentary rock to estimate the age
Radioactive dating
scientists compare the amount of radioactive substance with the amount of stable substance
Homologous structure
parts of different organisms that are similar in structure, give evidence that these organisms have a common ancestor
Analogous structure
structures that are similar in function but not structure
Vestigial structure
body part that is reduced in size and does not have a function
embryology
study of the development of the embryo
primate
forward facing eyes, opposable thumbs, flexible shoulders, rotating forelimbs, binocular vision
Mutation
random changes in DNA and RNA
Artificial selection
Humans interact/select the best trait to be passed down
taxonomy
the naming of organisms based on traits
dichotomous key
a system that separates organisms based on traits
Anatomy
the study of a structure of a plant or animal
Anatomy
the study of a structure of a plant or animal
