Evolution

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What is the theory of evolution?

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The theory of evolution explains how species change over time through processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation.

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What is a common ancestor?

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A common ancestor is an early species from which two or more different species have evolved.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is an adaptation?

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An adaptation is a characteristic or trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What can cause a species to go extinct?

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A species can go extinct due to drastic environmental changes, inability to adapt, loss of habitat, or competition with other species.

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What is the significance of fossil layers in understanding evolution?

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Fossil layers help scientists determine the relative ages of fossils and understand the chronological order of species evolution.

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What is genetic drift?

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Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

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How does mutation contribute to evolution?

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Mutations introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can lead to new traits that may be beneficial for survival.

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What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?

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Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits, while natural selection occurs without human intervention.

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What role does variation play in evolution?

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Variation within a population is essential for evolution, as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.

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