Evolution

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What is evolution?

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

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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, even if they have different functions.

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost their original function through the course of evolution.

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What is divergent evolution?

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Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures.

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What is convergent evolution?

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Convergent evolution is the process where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

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What does 'survival of the fittest' mean?

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'Survival of the fittest' refers to the idea that individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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What is gene flow?

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Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations, often occurring through migration.

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What is genetic drift?

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Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

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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 speciation?

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