Unit 6 Evolution Vocabulary Flashcards

1
Q

adaptation

A

an inherited trait that helps an organism to better survive and reproduce

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2
Q

competition

A

the struggle between
organisms to survive in a
habitat with limited resources

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3
Q

evolution

A

the gradual change in a
population over long periods
of time

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4
Q

natural selection

A

individuals that have certain inherited
traits tend to survive and reproduce at
higher rates than other individuals
because of those traits.

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5
Q

genetic variation

A

variety of characteristics
among living things

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6
Q

biogeography

A

study of past and
present geographic
distribution of
organisms

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7
Q

embryology

A

similarities in early
stages of
development which
suggests that
organisms share
common ancestry

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8
Q

Homologous structures

A

structures in different species
that are similar because of
common ancestry

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9
Q

molecular evidence

A

similarities in DNA
due to
common
ancestry

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10
Q

vestigial structures

A

remnant of a structure
that may have had an
important function in
a species’ ancestors,
but has no clear
function in the
modern species

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11
Q

fossil record

A

chronological collection of
life’s remains in sedimentary
rock layers

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12
Q

convergent evolution

A

process by which
unrelated organisms
independently evolve
similarities when
adapting to similar
environments

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13
Q

divergent evolution

A

when two or more species sharing
a common ancestor become more
different over time

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14
Q

coevolution

A

process by which two species
evolve in response to changes
in each other

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15
Q

stasis

A

when an environment is stable
and unchanging

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16
Q

species

A

a group of similar organisms that
can breed and produce fertile
offspring

17
Q

speciation

A

formation of new species

18
Q

fitness

A

the ability of an organism to
survive and reproduce in its
environment

19
Q

artificial selection

A

process in which humans choose which organisms reproduce based on certain traits

20
Q

behavioral isolation

A

population is separated because courtship behaviors or other behaviors are different

21
Q

geographic isolation

A

population separated by geographic barrier

22
Q

reproductive isolation

A

when 2 populations cannot interbred and produce fertile offspring

23
Q

temporal isolation

A

populations reproduce at different times, separating them

24
Q

theory

A

well supported by evidence, testable explanation of natural events

25
Q

variation

A

difference between individuals, groups, or species

26
Q

darwin

A

defined evolution as descent with modification

27
Q

descent with modification

A

links all organisms to single tree of life

28
Q

fossils

A

preserved remains of plants or animals whose bodies are buried

29
Q

analogous structures

A

body parts that have common functions due to environment, but not common structure nor ancestry

30
Q

survival of the fittest

A

states organisms best fit for their environment are most likely to survive and reproduce more

31
Q

Malthus

A

stated if human population grew unchecked, there would be insufficient space and food for everyone

32
Q

Lamarck

A

stated use and disuse theory of evolution

33
Q

Hutton and Lyell

A

stated geological process shaping Earth today was same in past

34
Q

gene pool

A

all genes of all members of a particular population

35
Q

population

A

a group of individuals of the same species interbred

36
Q

directional selection

A

individuals at one end of curve have higher fitness

37
Q

stabilizing selection

A

individuals near center of curve have higher fitness

38
Q

disruptive selection

A

upper and lower ends of curve have higher fitness

39
Q

genetic drift

A

random change in allele frequency