Evolution Vocabulary

Front

A body, organ, or bone that is still present but no longer useful to the organism is ______________________.

Back

Vestigial Structure

Front

Layered fossils create a historical sequence (timeline) is known as ____________.

Back

Fossil Record

Front

What is an inherited characteristic that helps organisms survive?

Back

Adaptation

Front

The most specific classification, a group that mates to produce offspring is called ____________.

Back

Species

Front

A mistake or change that occurs in the DNA sequence is called a ______________________.

Back

Mutation

Front

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring is known as ____________.

Back

Natural Selection

Front

The gradual change in species over time is referred to as ____________.

Back

Evolution

Front

The variety of different types of life found on Earth is known as ____________.

Back

Biodiversity

Front

The process by which new species arise is called ____________.

Back

Speciation

Front

The preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past are called ____________.

Back

Fossils