Evolution Vocab

Question 1

Anatomical Homologies

Answer 1

Similarities in structures among species that exist because of descent from a common ancestor.

Question 2

Ancestry

Answer 2

Family Descent

Question 3

Bio-geography

Answer 3

Geographic distribution of species

Question 4

Developmental Homologies

Answer 4

Similarities in developmental processes from fertilized egg to adulthood

Question 5

Evolution

Answer 5

Change in a kind of species of organism over time; process which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.

Question 6

Fossil Record

Answer 6

The millions of fossils that scientists have collected

Question 7

Gradualism

Answer 7

The theory that evolution occurs slowly but steadily

Question 8

Homology

Answer 8

Similarity in characteristics resulting from a shared ancestry.

Question 9

Molecular Homologies

Answer 9

Shared characteristics on the molecular level

Question 10

Punctuated Equilibrium

Answer 10

The hypothesis that evolutionary development is marked by isolated episodes of rapid speciation between long periods of little or no change.

Question 11

Speciation

Answer 11

The formation of new distinct species in the course of evolution.

Question 12

Stasis

Answer 12

Standing still

Question 13

Adaption

Answer 13

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce

Question 14

Gene flow

Answer 14

movement of alleles from one population to another

Question 15

Genetic Drift

Answer 15

A change in the allele frequency of a population of chance events rather that natural selection.

Question 16

Natural Selection

Answer 16

A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment.