Evolution terminology

Question 1

study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms

Answer 1

paleontology

Question 2

species

Answer 2

group of organisms of the same type that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, i.e. that are not reproductively isolated

Question 3

the study of differences in chemical processes among species

Answer 3

comparative biochemistry

Question 4

the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment

Answer 4

phenotype

Question 5

continental drift

Answer 5

the gradual movement of the continents across the earth’s surface through geological time

Question 6

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically closely related

Answer 6

inbreeding

Question 7

major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time

Answer 7

macro-evolution

Question 8

period in Earth’s history when abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited time frame

Answer 8

mass extinction

Question 9

a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell

Answer 9

meiosis

Question 10

comparative anatomy

Answer 10

the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

Question 11

paleontology

Answer 11

study of the forms of life existing in prehistoric or geologic times, as represented by the fossils of plants, animals, and other organisms

Question 12

the gradual movement of the continents across the earth’s surface through geological time

Answer 12

continental drift

Question 13

analogous structures

Answer 13

structures that are similar in function but have different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.

Question 14

mass extinction

Answer 14

period in Earth’s history when abnormally large numbers of species die out simultaneously or within a limited time frame

Question 15

any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations

Answer 15

biological evolution

Question 16

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution

Answer 16

speciation

Question 17

homologous structures

Answer 17

structures that are similar in structure, but not necessarily in function, which demonstrates descent from a common ancestor

Question 18

macro-evolution

Answer 18

major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time

Question 19

the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth

Answer 19

evolution

Question 20

biological evolution

Answer 20

any genetic change in a population that is inherited over several generations

Question 21

group of organisms of the same type that are able to interbreed and produce fertile offspring, i.e. that are not reproductively isolated

Answer 21

species

Question 22

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically unrelated

Answer 22

outbreeding

Question 23

population

Answer 23

group of organisms of the same species that inhabits the same geographical area and interbreed freely

Question 24

the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species

Answer 24

comparative anatomy

Question 25

a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events which reduces the variation in the gene pool of a population.

Answer 25

genetic bottleneck

Question 26

natural selection

Answer 26

the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

Question 27

evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms (population), especially over a short period

Answer 27

micro-evolution

Question 28

comparative embryology

Answer 28

the comparative study of embryos of different species

Question 29

structures that are similar in function but have different evolutionary origins, as the wings of a butterfly and the wings of a bird.

Answer 29

analogous structures

Question 30

a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait

Answer 30

genotype

Question 31

selective breeding

Answer 31

(also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits or to eliminate particular traits

Question 32

the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

Answer 32

natural selection

Question 33

biogeography

Answer 33

the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals

Question 34

comparative biochemistry

Answer 34

the study of differences in chemical processes among species

Question 35

the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form

Answer 35

fossil

Question 36

(also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed other animals and plants for particular traits or to eliminate particular traits

Answer 36

selective breeding

Question 37

group of organisms of the same species that inhabits the same geographical area and interbreed freely

Answer 37

population

Question 38

anthropology

Answer 38

the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development

Question 39

structures that are similar in structure, but not necessarily in function, which demonstrates descent from a common ancestor

Answer 39

homologous structures

Question 40

micro-evolution

Answer 40

evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms (population), especially over a short period

Question 41

archaeology

Answer 41

the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains

Question 42

process of fossilization in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms

Answer 42

permineralisation

Question 43

permineralisation

Answer 43

process of fossilization in which mineral deposits form internal casts of organisms

Question 44

genetic bottleneck

Answer 44

a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events which reduces the variation in the gene pool of a population.

Question 45

the comparative study of embryos of different species

Answer 45

comparative embryology

Question 46

plate tectonics

Answer 46

theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as volcanism and continental drift, in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth's plates

Question 47

inbreeding

Answer 47

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically closely related

Question 48

the comparative study of human societies and cultures and their development

Answer 48

anthropology

Question 49

genotype

Answer 49

a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or trait

Question 50

fossil

Answer 50

the remains or impression of a prehistoric plant or animal embedded in rock and preserved in petrified form

Question 51

the study of the geographical distribution of plants and animals

Answer 51

biogeography

Question 52

phenotype

Answer 52

the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment

Question 53

evolution

Answer 53

the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth

Question 54

outbreeding

Answer 54

production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are genetically unrelated

Question 55

the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains

Answer 55

archaeology

Question 56

theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena such as volcanism and continental drift, in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth's plates

Answer 56

plate tectonics

Question 57

meiosis

Answer 57

a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell

Question 58

speciation

Answer 58

the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution