Darwin's Theory
Evidence of Evolution
Rate of Change
Random Stuff
100
Organisms belonging to the same _________________ can usually mate and produce fertile offspring.
species
100
Differences between members of the same species are called ______________.
Variations.
100
The theory of _______________________ proposes that species evolve slowly but steadily.
Gradualism.
100
A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce...
Adaptation.
200
Gradual change in species over time is called ___________________.
evolution.
200
What term refers to similar structures that related species have inherited from a common ancestor?
Homologous structures
200
True or False: When some members of a species become isolated, they are less likely to form a new species.
False: They are MORE likely to form a new species!
200
Which term refers to the process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Natural selection
300
What did Darwin conclude about organisms on the Galapagos islands?
Organisms changed over time.
300
DAILY DOUBLE!!! True or False: The more similar the DNA sequences of two species are, the more closely related the species are.
True
300
What do scientists determine when they combine evidence from fossils, body structures, early development, DNA, and protein structures.
Scientists determine evolutionary relationships among species.
300
DAILY DOUBLE!!! In the process of natural selection, the organisms that are best suited to their environments are more likely to survive and _____________________.
reproduce.
400
This term refers to a species creating more offspring than can possibly survive.
Overproduction
400
The only traits that can be acted upon by natural selection are those that are controlled by _____________.
Genes
400
What is the main specification that makes a species "a species"
The organisms can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring.
400
How does natural selection lead to evolution?
Helpful variations accumulate among surviving members of a species.
500
How did studying selective breeding help Darwin develop his theory of evolution?
Darwin observed that animals with a desired characteristics could be produced by allowing only those individuals with the characteristics to mate. He thought that a process similar to selective breeding might occur in nature.
500
Similarities in the early development of chickens and opossums suggest that these animals share a common _____________.
ancestor.
500
Explain how a group of organisms that is separated from the rest of its species can evolve different traits.
The organisms are not able to mate with members of the rest of the species. The longer they remain isolated, the more likely they are to evolve different traits.
500
A scientist collects wild rabbits that live at sea level and moves them to the mountains. One year later, the scientist discovers that the same rabbits have larger lungs, which help them breathe the thin mountain air. The scientist returns the rabbits to sea level. Will the offspring have larger-than-normal lungs? Explain.
The offspring probably will not have larger lungs. Their environment, not their genes, produced the larger lungs of the rabbits kept in the mountains. Only traits that are controlled by genes can be acted upon by natural selection and passed on to offspring.