Evolution Flashcard

Front

What is the environment?

Back

The surroundings and conditions in which an organism lives and operates.

Front

Why are mutations important in evolution?

Back

Mutations bring about genetic variation needed for a population to evolve.

Front

What do embryologists study embryos for?

Back

To see if they are related.

Front

How does common ancestry relate to evolution?

Back

The more two organisms have in common, the more recent is their common ancestor during their evolution.

Front

What is absolute dating?

Back

A method used to measure the age of a fossil in years.

Front

Define evolution.

Back

The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Front

What is genetic variation?

Back

Differences in DNA among individuals, which can lead to variations in traits.

Front

What is a population in biological terms?

Back

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Front

What is biological diversity?

Back

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Front

What is a common ancestor?

Back

An ancestral species from which two or more species have evolved.