Evolution & Genetic Modification 🧿 Flashcards
What is evolution
The gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time
State the definition of a fossil
The remains of an organism from thousands or millions of years ago which are found in rocks
Name two ways in which remains of dead animals and plants can be preserved
In tree sap (hardened clear material called amber)
In ice

How can the fossils rise from deep in the earths crust
(Tectonic movement)
Earthquakes
Formation of mountains
What was Dawin’s theory
Organisms that are best for adapted for their environment will reproduce and pass on the AQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Name four key points about natural selection
Individuals within a species show variation
Individuals within a species compete for resources
Only the individual best adapted to the environment will survive
Only the survivors will pass on their genes
What is classification?
The grouping of organisms based on similarities of features
What is artificial classification?
Based on observable features e.g. beak shape, flower colour, number of legs
What is natural classification
Based on evolutionary links i.e. do they have a common ancestor?
Name the five kingdoms
Animals
Plants
Fungi
Protists
Prokaryotes
What are the three domains created by Carl Woose in 1990
Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya
What is one unit of classification known as
Taxon
List each unit of classification
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus (italics)
species (italics)
What is a species
A group of similar organisms able to reproduce and produce FERTILE OFFSPRING
Who invented classification systems
Carl Linnaeus 250 years ago
What are the main characteristics of the kingdom of animals
Eukaryotic
multi cellular
no cell walls
must eat other organisms to obtain energy