science Flashcards
The hardened remains or imprint of a living thing that lived long ago.
Fossil
An animal in its earliest stages of development, especially before it hatches or, in mammals, before it has reached a distinctly recognizable form. A plant in its earliest stages of development, especially the partially developed plant contained within a seed.
Embryo
A taxonomic category of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other and are usually capable of producing fertile offspring when they breed with each other.
Species
Similar in structure and evolutionary origin, though not necessarily in function.
Homologous Structure
Structures that are similar in function but having different evolutionary origins.
Analogous Structure
sandstone, limestone, and shale
Sedimentary Rock
All of the physical, chemical, and biological conditions that together affect an organism and influence its growth and development. Soil, air, water, climate, plant and animal life, and noise level are all components of an environment.
Environment
A group of individuals or organisms all living at approximately the same time. The time span between the birth of the parents and that of the offspring.
Generation
All of the organisms of a species that live in a particular area.
Population
one organism and is also one type of organism
Individual
Capable of being passed from one generation to the next through the genes.
Heritable
A physical or behavioral feature of an organism, especially one that is determined largely by the organism’s genes.
Trait
The process in nature by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive longer and produce more offspring than organisms that are less well adapted, so that the genetic characteristics of the better-adapted individuals become more widespread in later generations.
Natural Sesction
To produce offspring.
Reproduce
The continuation of life or existence.
Survival
Change or adjustment in structure or habits by which the members of a species become better able to function in their environment. Adaptation occurs during evolution through the action of natural selection. A structure or habit that results from this process.
Adaptation
Another term for natural selection.
Survival of the Fittest
No longer existing or living.
Entincion
The quality or state of being fit. The capacity of an organism to survive and transmit its genotype to reproductive offspring as compared to competing organisms.
Fitness
Change in the genes of a group of organisms over many generations, such that descendants are different from their ancestors.
Evolution
