Evolution and Natural Selection

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What is genetic drift?

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A change in the gene pool of a population due to random events, often leading to a loss of genetic variation.

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What is natural selection?

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

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What is evolution?

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The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

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What is the significance of a common ancestor in evolution?

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A common ancestor indicates that different species share a lineage and have diverged from a shared genetic background.

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What is the role of DNA similarities in understanding evolution?

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DNA similarities can indicate how closely related different species are and provide evidence for common ancestry.

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What is the importance of fossil comparison in evolutionary studies?

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Fossil comparison helps scientists understand the changes in species over time and the relationships between extinct and living organisms.

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What is biogeographic distribution?

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The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

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What is the difference between evolution and individual adaptation?

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Evolution refers to changes in populations over time, while individual adaptation refers to changes in an individual's traits during its lifetime.

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What is mutation in the context of evolution?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in organisms, contributing to genetic diversity.

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What is the concept of isolation in speciation?

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Isolation occurs when populations of a species are separated, leading to divergent evolution and the formation of new species.