Evolution Vocabulary Flashcards
To understand the basic vocabulary from the evolution unit.
Abiogenesis
Life that comes from no life. Spontaneous generation
Biogenesis
Life from life. All life comes from another life.
Adaptatioin
An inherited trait that promotes survival and reproduction for a species.
Adaptive radiation
Evolution of many diverse species from a single, ancestral species.
Convergent evolution
A type of evolution in which unrelated species produce descendants with similar traits.
Divergent evolution
A type of evolution in which organisms become less and less similar.
Homologous structures
A structure having a common ancestry but with different uses. Same structure, different function.
Anologous structures
Structures that have the same function, but different structures.
Vistigial organ
A body part that is no longer fully developed or useful.
Natural selection
Pressure applied by the environment for individuals with certain traits/adaptions to survive.
Gene flow
The movement of a gene in or out of a gene pool.
Gene pool
All of the genes available to a population.
Gene frequency
How often a certain gene appears in a population.
Geographic isoloation
The division or separation of a single breeding population by a physical barrier, such as a mountain range or river.
Popluation
All of the members of a species in an area that can reproduce.
Reproductive isolation
A barrier to interbreeding caused by varied breeding times or other reasons.
Speciation
The formation of a two new species from a common ancestor.
Migration
The movement of individuals from one geographic area to another.
Charles Darwin
“Father” of the modern accepted theory of evolution.
Overpopulation
More individuals than the environment can support.
Competition
Two or more individuals trying for the same resource.
Survival of the fittest
The adaptation that allows one individual to survive over another.
Reproduction
The passing of traits from one individual to an offspring.
Embryo
An organism in the early stage of development.
J. Ray
Said all species show variations.
Thomas Malthus
Said all population continue to grow until the environment can no longer support them.
Fossil
An imprint or part of an organism that lived long ago.
Jean LMarck
Presented an early theory on evolution. He said acquired characteristics are passed on to offspring.
Half-life
The time it takes for one half of a radioactive isotope to break down.
Isotope
An atom that has lost or gained a neutron.
Punctuated equillibrium
Evolution where there are long terms of stability followed by quick, short periods of change.
Sedimentary rock
A type of rock made of compressed layers of sediment.
Stabilizing selection
A process that maintains traits that are successful for an organism in its environment.
