Unit 6 Evolution Vocabulary Flashcards
adaptation
an inherited trait that helps an organism to better survive and reproduce
competition
the struggle between
organisms to survive in a
habitat with limited resources
evolution
the gradual change in a
population over long periods
of time
natural selection
individuals that have certain inherited
traits tend to survive and reproduce at
higher rates than other individuals
because of those traits.
genetic variation
variety of characteristics
among living things
biogeography
study of past and
present geographic
distribution of
organisms
embryology
similarities in early
stages of
development which
suggests that
organisms share
common ancestry
Homologous structures
structures in different species
that are similar because of
common ancestry
molecular evidence
similarities in DNA
due to
common
ancestry
vestigial structures
remnant of a structure
that may have had an
important function in
a species’ ancestors,
but has no clear
function in the
modern species
fossil record
chronological collection of
life’s remains in sedimentary
rock layers
convergent evolution
process by which
unrelated organisms
independently evolve
similarities when
adapting to similar
environments
divergent evolution
when two or more species sharing
a common ancestor become more
different over time
coevolution
process by which two species
evolve in response to changes
in each other
stasis
when an environment is stable
and unchanging
species
a group of similar organisms that
can breed and produce fertile
offspring
speciation
formation of new species
fitness
the ability of an organism to
survive and reproduce in its
environment
artificial selection
process in which humans choose which organisms reproduce based on certain traits
behavioral isolation
population is separated because courtship behaviors or other behaviors are different
geographic isolation
population separated by geographic barrier
reproductive isolation
when 2 populations cannot interbred and produce fertile offspring
temporal isolation
populations reproduce at different times, separating them
theory
well supported by evidence, testable explanation of natural events
