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Evolution, Biegel
Evolution & Natural Selection
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Competition | A struggle between organisms for resources such as food, living space, and mates. |
Adaptation | Any variation that makes an organism better suited to its environment |
Evolution | A change in the genetic makeup of a species over time. |
Darwin | The naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection |
Variation | An inherited trait that makes an individual different from other members of its species |
Population | All of the individuals of the same species living in the same area |
Natural selection | The mechanism of evolution where organisms with the traits best-suited to the environment survive and reproduce |
Mutation | A permanent change in an organism's genes; can be harmful, silent or helpful |
Lamarck | The scientist who proposed the Hypothesis of Acquired Characteristics |
Fossil record | Evidence of evolutionary change found in sedimentary rock |
Homologous structures | Body parts of similar origin and structure found in different organisms. Ex. forelimb of frog and a bat wing |
Vestigial structures | Body parts without an apparent function. Ex. appendix, pelvic bones in whales |
Fossil | The remains of prehistoric organisms found in sedimentary rock |
Geographic isolation | When organisms are separated by large geographic features such as canyons, mountains, rivers and oceans, and develop into new species. |
Embryology | The study of embryos and their development |
DNA and protein evidence | measurable support for evolution, based on similarities in DNA and Amino acid sequence. |