Fossils & Evidence
What is a fossil?
Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.
Who developed the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
What is an adaptation?
an inherited trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce.
What do scientists compare to determine common ancestry?
Fossils, DNA, anatomy,
What are traits?
Traits are characteristics passed from parents to offspring, like eye color or height.
Name two ways fossils provide evidence for evolution.
Shows change over time, common ancestors, etc.
What does "survival of the fittest" mean?
Organisms best suited to their environment survive and reproduce. (etc.)
How do camouflage help animals survive?
Camouflage helps them blend in
How do DNA similarities provide evidence for evolution?
More similar DNA means closer evolutionary relationships.
What is DNA?
DNA is the genetic material that carries instructions for an organism’s traits.
What type of rock are fossils usually found in?
Sedimentary Rock
What are the four main components of natural selection.
Variation, inheritance, competition, and survival reproduction
What is an adaptation that helps animals survive in the cold?
Thick fur or blubber (fat) to keep them warm.
What is one way we know birds and dinosaurs are related?
Birds and some dinosaurs have similar bone structures, like hollow bones and clawed feet.
What is a gene?
A gene is a section of DNA that controls a specific trait.
Why do deeper fossils usually mean older fossils?
Because new rock layers form on top of older ones, so fossils buried deeper have been there longer.
How do mutations play a role in natural selection?
They create genetic variations that may be beneficial.
How does a bird’s beak shape help it survive?
Different beak shapes help birds eat different types of food, like sharp beaks for tearing meat or long beaks for sipping nectar.
How can DNA help scientists figure out which animals are related?
Animals with more similar DNA are more closely related.
What is a dominant trait?
A dominant trait is one that always shows up if the gene is present.
What is one way scientists figure out how old a fossil is?
They look at the rock layers where it was found (relative dating) or use special tests to measure its age
What is artificial selection, and how is it different from natural selection?
Artificial selection is when humans breed organisms for specific traits, unlike natural selection, which happens naturally.
Why do desert animals usually have big ears?
Big ears help them stay cool by releasing heat.
What is one piece of evidence that humans and apes share a common ancestor?
They have similar skeletons and share a lot of the same DNA.
What is a recessive trait?
A recessive trait only shows up if both parents pass on the recessive gene.