Module 40 Terms - Intro to Evolution and Natural Selection

Question 1

Adaptations

Answer 1

Traits of organisms that closely fit their environment

Question 2

Biodiversity

Answer 2

Biological diversity

Question 3

Phylogenetic tree

Answer 3

A model of the process of evolution. It has a common trunk (for a common ancestor) and branches that split off from the trunk. The tip of these branches split at the node, which indicates the split branches’ most recent common ancestor. The tips of these branches represent a species.

Question 4

Nodes

Answer 4

Points where one species splits into two; represents the most recent common ancestor of the groups at the tips of those lines

Question 5

Root

Answer 5

The base of the tree which represents the common ancestor of all of the groups

Question 6

Name 3 ways species differ from one another

Answer 6

Among other things, they can have different appearances and behaviors, methods of obtaining energy, reproduction methods, and be from different branches on the evolutionary tree

Question 7

Name 3 ways in which species are similar

Answer 7

They contain the same amino acids, have DNA, and harness energy from the environment in similar ways