Fossils
What is a fossil?
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism.
What is evolution?
Evolution is the process by which species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.
Name one piece of evidence for evolution.
Fossil records, comparative anatomy, or DNA similarities.
What is a species?
A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
What is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.
How are fossils formed?
Fossils are formed when an organism is buried quickly after death and mineralized over time.
Who proposed the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
What is comparative anatomy?
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species.
How do new species form?
New species can form through processes like geographic isolation or reproductive isolation.
Give an example of a physical adaptation.
The thick fur of polar bears is a physical adaptation for cold environments
Name a type of fossil.
Examples include cast fossils, mold fossils, and amber fossils.
What does natural selection mean?
Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
What is biogeography?
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
What is speciation?
Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing species.
What is behavioral adaptation?
Behavioral adaptation is a change in behavior that helps an organism survive, such as migration.
What is the significance of fossils in understanding evolution?
Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.
Describe how species adapt over time.
Species adapt through genetic changes that enhance survival in changing environments over generations.
How does DNA support the theory of evolution?
DNA comparisons show genetic similarities between different species, indicating a shared ancestry.
Explain the role of mutations in evolution.
Mutations introduce genetic variation, which can lead to new traits that may be beneficial for survival.
How do adaptations help species survive?
Adaptations increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in its environment.
Explain how fossils can show the age of a species.
Fossils can be dated using methods like radiometric dating, which helps determine how long ago a species existed.
What is a common ancestor?
A common ancestor is a species from which two or more different species have evolved.
Describe how embryology provides evidence for evolution.
Similarities in embryonic development among different species suggest a common ancestor.
What is extinction and how does it relate to evolution?
Extinction is the end of a species; it can lead to evolutionary changes as other species adapt to fill ecological roles.
Explain the concept of fitness in evolution.
Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment; higher fitness means better adaptation.