Theory
Who discovered the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the Earth
What is Evolution?
The process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change.
What is Natural Selection?
Traits are passed from parents to offspring through these.
What are genes (or DNA)?
What is some evidence used comparative anatomy?
Similar bone structures
A speculation or guess that is based off repeated observations, experiments, verified hypotheses and original knowledge.
What is a Theory?
If a species has a random mutation that makes them more fit for their environment, over time the population will ______________________.
Have that mutation and increase in size.
A change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.
What is an adaptation?
Name one piece of evidence used to determine common ancestry.
Finding similar structures in a common ancestor in the fossil record or similar DNA
What is one piece of evidence of common ancestry between whales and land mammals?
They have tiny hip bones that are buried deep in thier bodies.
True or False: Scientific theories can change when scientists discover new evidence.
What is True.
Creates changes in the DNA and changes phenotypes
What is a mutation?
True or false: Natural selection is the survival of the biggest and strongest
False, survival of the fittest
Layers of rock help scientists determine which fossils are older using this law.
What is the Law of Superposition?
If two animals have similar bone structures but use them for different purposes, scientists conclude the animals likely share this.
What is a common ancestor?
The main difference between a theory and a hypothesis is the amount of this supporting them.
What is evidence?
These preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms provide evidence of evolution.
What are fossils?
The measurement of an organism's success at surviving and reproducing, defined by its ability to pass genes to the next generation
What is fitness?
If a species cannot adapt to an environmental change, it may experience this.
What is extinction?
Comparative anatomy helps scientists create diagrams showing relationships called this.
What are evolutionary trees (or phylogenetic trees)?
A scientific law tells what happens, but a theory tells this.
What is why (or HOW) something happens.
What are 3 pieces of evidence of evolution?
Fossil records, comparative anatomy, DNA
Natural selection does NOT give organisms traits because they “need” them; instead, traits already exist due to this.
What are variations (genetic differences)?
Peppered moths changing color during the Industrial Revolution is an example of natural selection caused by _________________.
What is the environment?
Body parts that no longer serve an important function are called this type of structure.
What are vestigial structures?