Evidence of Evolution and Natural Selection

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is adaptation?

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Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, indicating evolutionary relationships.

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are remnants of organs or structures that had a function in an early ancestor but are no longer functional in the current organism.

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What is the fossil record?

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The fossil record is the history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, providing evidence of evolution and the changes in species over time.

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What is embryology in the context of evolution?

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Embryology is the study of embryos and their development, which can show similarities between different species, indicating common ancestry.

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What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can lead to new traits; they are a source of genetic variation that can drive evolution.

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What is camouflage?

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Camouflage is a trait that allows an organism to blend in with its environment, helping it avoid predators.

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What are analogous structures?

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Analogous structures are body parts in different species that serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

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What is the role of competition in natural selection?

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Competition for resources among organisms can lead to natural selection, where only the fittest survive and reproduce.