Darwin & Evolution
Darwin’s main mechanism for evolution
What is natural selection?
A trait that helps an organism survive
What is an adaptation?
Preserved remains of organisms
What are fossils?
Two-part naming system
What is binomial nomenclature?
Diagram showing relationships using traits
What is a cladogram?
The idea that all species share common ancestors
What is common ancestry?
The ability to survive and reproduce
What is fitness?
Structures with same origin but different function
What are homologous structures?
The two parts of a scientific name
What are genus and species?
Tool using two choices to identify organisms
What is a dichotomous key?
Darwin observed that species vary in these three ways
What are globally, locally, and over time?
When some organisms leave more offspring than others
What is differential reproductive success?
Study of where organisms live
What is biogeography?
Most specific level of classification
What is species?
Diagram showing evolutionary history over time
What is a phylogenetic tree?
This scientist influenced Darwin with ideas about population growth
Who is Malthus?
Put in order: survival, reproduction, traits increase, variation
→ Variation → survival → reproduction → traits increase
Why is DNA strong evidence for evolution?
Similar DNA shows common ancestry
Correct order (broad → specific) start at DOMAIN
→ Domain → Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
What do branch points represent?
Common ancestors
Explain why Earth being very old was important to Darwin’s theory
It allowed enough time for evolution to occur
Why does natural selection depend on inherited traits?
Because traits must be passed to offspring to affect evolution
Difference between homologous and analogous structures
Homologous = same origin, Analogous = same function
Why do scientists classify organisms?
To show relationships and organize biodiversity
Why are organisms closer on a cladogram more related?
They share more recent common ancestors and traits