Category #3: Biological Evolution & Classification

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What is biological evolution?

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Biological evolution is the process through which species of organisms change over time through variations in traits, driven by natural selection, genetic drift, mutations, and gene flow.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is a common ancestor?

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

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What is genetic variation?

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Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals within a population, which can lead to different traits.

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What is adaptation?

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Adaptation is a trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.

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What is the significance of embryonic similarities in evolution?

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Embryonic similarities among different species suggest a common ancestry and can provide evidence for evolutionary relationships.

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What is the role of fossils 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 evolution.

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What is the concept of geographic isolation?

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Geographic isolation occurs when a population is separated by physical barriers, leading to the development of new species.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution, not common ancestry.