Organisms Change over Time-Evidence of Evolution

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What do you call a characteristic that allows an organism to survive in an environment?

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

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Who was the naturalist/scientist that traveled the world to study plants and animals?

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Charles Darwin: A scientist known for his contributions to the understanding of evolution and natural selection.

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What is hibernation an example of?

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Behavioral Adaptation: A type of adaptation where an organism changes its behavior to survive in its environment.

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What is the term for a structure that is no longer needed for its original function?

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Vestigial Structure: A body part that has lost its original function through evolution.

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What does the Aetiocetus represent in the context of evolution?

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Transitional Fossil: A fossil that shows the evolutionary transition between different species.

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What is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring?

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Natural Selection: The mechanism by which evolution occurs, favoring traits that enhance survival.

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What is the term for the variety of different species in a given area?

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

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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Homologous Structures: Body parts that share a common ancestry; Analogous Structures: Body parts that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

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What is the significance of fossil records in understanding evolution?

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Fossil Records: They provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.

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What is a common example of a physical adaptation?

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Camouflage: A physical trait that helps an organism blend in with its environment to avoid predators.