Evolution #1
Evolution #2
Evolution #3
Genetics #4
Genetics #5
100

change in the characteristics of a species over many generations

Evolution

100

a characteristic of an organism that improves its chances of surviving and/or reproducing

Adaptation

100

features or characteristics that are passed down through genes

Trait

100

a specific sequence of DNA that carries the instructions for a particular trait

Gene

100

genetic material found in the nucleus of cells

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

200

differences that exist between individuals in a population

Variation

200

The group of islands where Darwin studied the finches

Galapagos islands

200

the process where an environmental factor acts on a population and results in some organisms having more offspring than others

Natural Selection

200

a thread-like structure composed of DNA and proteins that packages and organizes genes. Human cells normally contain 46 (23 from each parent)

Chromosomes

200

the reproductive cells, ova (eggs) in females and sperm in males. They combine to form the first cell of a new organism

Gamete

300

The organisms that are better suited to their environment survive the pressure of selective agents. This is often referred to as ‘Survival of the Fittest’.

Selection pressure

300

The name of the scientist that proposed another theory to Darwin, in which that organisms evolve through the inheritance of acquired characteristics 

Lamarck

300

Preserved remains of ancient organisms, important evidence for evolution

Fossils

300

a trait expressed in appearance (upper case letter)

Dominant

300

a trait that recedes when the dominant is present (lower case letter)

Recessive

400

The process by which related species become more different over time due to adapting to live in different environments. Example: Darwin’s finches evolving different beak shapes based on their food sources.

Divergent evolution

400

when unrelated species evolve similar traits and adaptations due to living in similar environments or facing similar selective pressures. Example: sharks and dolphins

Convergent evolution

400

the formation of new species (usually due geographical isolation)

Speciation

400

different form of the same gene

Allele

400

a fertilised egg formed when two gametes combine

Zygote

500

Body parts in different species that have a similar structure due to common ancestry (closely related), even if they serve different functions (e.g., human arm and whale flipper).

Homologous structures

500

body parts of species that evolved independently with very different anatomies but similar functions (e.g., bird wings and insect wings)

Analogous structures

500

anatomical parts that were important in the species ancestors, but lost most or all of their original function through evolution (e.g., human appendix, wisdom teeth)

Vestigial structures

500

set of genes that an organism has

Genotype

500

set of traits that are displayed

Phenotype