Category one
an explanation of “why” or “how” that is based on experiments and facts
Scientific Theory
difference in traits within a species
Variation
show the intermediate stages between ancestral organisms and their present day forms
Transitional fossils/forms
the process where two parents combine genetic material to produce offspring that are genetically unique and different from either parent
Sexual Reproduction
physical, behavioral, or metabolic characteristics like eye color
Traits
members of the same species living in the same general area.
Populations
a variation that provides an advantage to the organism
Adaptation
The process by which organisms of a species change over time and become different species.
Divergent Evolution
the observable characteristics of an organism
Phenotype
a permanent change in the DNA sequence of a cell
mutation
change in the heritable characteristics of a population over time
Evolution
The process by which favorable traits are “selected” by an environment and passed on to the next generation
Natural Selection
When a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into many new species that are each specialized for a different way of life, or ecological niche.
Adaptive Radiation
the role and position a species has in its environment; how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces
Ecological Niche
the genetic constitution of an individual organism
Genotype
organisms that can create viable offspring
Species
an organism's ability to survive, reproduce, and pass on its genes to the next generation
Biological Fitness
a body part in different species that has a similar underlying anatomical structure, but performs a different function.
Homologous Structures
a feature that no longer seems to have a purpose in the current form of an organism of a given species
Vestigial Structure
the process by which unrelated or distantly related organisms evolve similar body forms, coloration, organs and adaptations
Convergent Evolution
Three Requirements for Natural Selection to Occur
Overproduction of offspring
Limited Natural Resources
Heritable Variations
Explain Sexual Selection
the selection of traits for their advantage in courtship or mating - enhances mating success, does not adapt the individuals to their environment
Explain Artificial Selection
The process where humans deliberately breed organisms to produce offspring with desired traits, a practice also called selective breeding.
Imagine you are a scientist studying a population of beetles living in a forest with varying bark colors. Explain how natural selection might influence the survival and reproduction of these beetles over multiple generations
Natural selection would favor beetles with camouflage better suited to the dominant bark color, leading to changes in the population over generations. In an environment with predominantly dark bark, darker beetles would be better camouflaged from predators like birds, leading to higher survival rates and more opportunities to reproduce.
Charles Darwin observed that organisms produce more offspring than can survive in their environment. Analyze how this observation connects to the process of natural selection
Darwin's observation that organisms produce more offspring than can survive directly fuels natural selection by creating a "struggle for existence". This struggle occurs because limited resources like food, water, and space necessitate competition, impacting population dynamics by weeding out less-fit individuals. Individuals with beneficial genetic variations are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantages on to their offspring, which over time causes the population to evolve and become better suited to its environment.