Evolution Unit Review

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What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of species.

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What does 'fitness' mean in the context of evolution?

Back

Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, often measured by the number of offspring it produces.

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What is 'descent with modification'?

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Descent with modification is a principle that suggests species change over time, with new traits being passed down from ancestors to descendants.

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What role do fossils play in understanding evolution?

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Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and their changes over time, helping scientists understand the history of life and evolutionary processes.

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What is the significance of Darwin's finches?

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Darwin's finches are a group of bird species that illustrate adaptive radiation, showing how species can evolve different traits based on their environments.

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What is the difference between relative dating and radioactive dating?

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Relative dating determines the age of fossils based on their position in sedimentary rock layers, while radioactive dating uses the decay of isotopes to determine an exact age.

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What is the concept of adaptation?

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Adaptation is a trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, often resulting from natural selection.

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What is the importance of genetic variation in evolution?

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Genetic variation is crucial for evolution as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon, leading to the development of new traits.

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How does competition influence natural selection?

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Competition for resources such as food, mates, and habitat can lead to natural selection, as individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new traits into a population, providing material for natural selection to act upon.