Biological Similarities
What is a vestigial structure?
It is a structure of organisms that do not appear to function but may have benefited the species in the past.
List the major eras in order from oldest to most recent.
Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
Can an organism evolve within its lifetime? Why or why not?
No an organism cannot evolve within its lifetime. To evolve it has to be an entire species. But, an organism can adapt during its lifetime.
How does evolution relate to climate?
Evolution relates to climate because the climate on earth is constantly changing and when that happens, species must evolve with it or go extinct.
Who invented the theory of natural selection?
Charles Darwin
Compare and contrast homologous and vestigial structures.
Homologous structures are similar structures of organisms that are used for different purposes, and vestigial structures are structures that no longer have a use.
What made the Cenozoic era have the biggest impact on life today?
This was the era when mammals grew in numbers at an insane rate.
How does survival of the fittest work?
Survival of the fittest works when the traits an organism allow it to REPRODUCE. Not just survive longer
How can a change in the environment cause an entire species to go extinct?
They can cause an entire species to go extinct because if the species is not fit to live in a certain climate then it can affect them greatly.
Ex: If the grass turned from yellow to green and a certain type of worm was colored yellow to blend, then they would not be able to blend into newly green grass.
What is the first step of natural selection?
Individuals within a population have differing traits
What is the purpose of taxonomy?
The purpose is to organize all living things into groups by grouping similar species together.
How does earth history relate to evolution?
The whole concept of earth's history and fossils and plate tectonics is a direct evidence for evolution from the earth and living organisms.
How do we determine if 2 species have a common ancestor?
Someone who if we trace our family tree back far enough you share a relative.
Why would genetic diversity or variation in DNA help species better survive environmental changes?
Because if the species was diverse, then they would be better prepared to survive changes. They could survive longer in many environments because they could adjust easier if a portion of them was already fit to live in the new environment.
What does a common trait have to do to be passed down?
It has to increase the chance of reproduction.
What are embryos? How can the similarities and differences of embryos prove whether species are related?
Embryos are the species before it is born. The similarities and differences can prove whether species are related because of their structures before they are born.
What major event happened between the precambrian era and the paleozoic?
Pangea was formed.
What is a mutation? What could be some benefits of having a mutation?
A genetic mutation occurs when the genes are altered and different from most dna. Mutations can allow an organism to survive longer or reproduce more.
Why might species not be able to adapt to certain climates?
Because some species have bodies that don’t have adaptations equipped for survival when a territory undergoes massive changes in climate.
When does a species separate and become two because of variant traits?
Once the species can’t recognize the other as a potential mate, or their DNA can't combine, they are separate species.
Many species have a similar “arm” like structure. Why do the “arms” of different species look different?
They different "arms" look different because each animal and species has a different uses for arms. Their "arms" have evolved over time to assist the animal in the best possible way.
How does the complexity of organisms change from earlier rock layers to more recent rock layers?
Based on the law of superposition, organisms found in lower rock layers are older. Based on the geologic time scale organisms became vastly more complex since earlier year.
Is natural selection just being the fittest in a population? Why or why not?
Natural selection is not just being the fittest in a population. Natural selection is just having traits that allow you to survive longer. That could be being big and strong, it could be having a long neck like a giraffe.
How does the climate now impact species that are endangered for extinction?
Based on the climate change that is occuring right now, species can’t adapt quickly enough to their changing surroundings, so they sink farther into endangerment. This is do to higher levels of carbon dioxide and other chemicals in the atmosphere that trap heat, and then begin to change the climate, impacting the wildlife.
How does natural selection compare to evolution?
Natural selection is the process of variant traits being passed down through species, whereas evolution is the change in species over time.