Darwin's Journey
the term for change over time
evolution
a type of fossil dating that compares rock layers and index fossils to get an estimated age
relative dating
the variety of species in a particular habitat or ecosystem
biodiversity
temperature, weather conditions or geographic access
climate
when a selective pressure gives a creature a better chance of surviving
select for
What did Darwin's theory of biological evolution offer a scientific explanation for?
the unity and diversity of life
structures that vary functionally in species, but are structurally similar due to descent from a common ancestor
homologous structures
any difference between the individuals in a species or group of organisms in any species
variation
presence/absence of sufficient food and habitat space
resource availability
type of selection that selects for one extreme
directional selection
What were the 3 observations (patterns of diversity) Darwin made on his voyage?
Species vary globally, locally, and over time
structures that develop in different species due to similar environmental pressures
analogous structures
How do variations in species arise?
mutations and/or genetic recombination
the impact of illness on a community
disease
type of selection direction that selects against both extremes
stabilizing
Proposed a theory of natural selection (some individuals survive better than others) after experiencing a high fever
Alfred Wallace
a type of fossil dating the uses the half-life of radioactive isotopes, such as carbon-14, to get a more exact age of a fossil
radiometric dating
____________ acts upon variation in a population
natural selection
predation
type of selection that most commonly results in speciation
disruptive selection
What was Malthus's contribution/influence on Darwin's theory
if the human population grew unchecked, there wouldn't be enough resources for everyone
the study of where organisms live now and where they and their ancestors lived in the past
biogeography
any heritable characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment is called an ______________ while differences in (blank above) affect an individual's ______________ aka their ability to survive and reproduce in their environment
adaptation
fitness
limited number of potential mates
competition
What 3 things did Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection propose?
1) variation within species
2) some variations are more advantageous
3) individuals with the advantageous traits will survive and reproduce (differences in fitness)