Evolution and Natural Selection

Front

What are variations in a species?

Back

Variations are slight differences within members of the same species, such as differences in color, size, or shape.

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient organisms preserved in rock.

Front

What three patterns of biodiversity did Darwin introduce?

Back

Species differ globally, locally, and over time.

Front

What are homologous structures?

Back

Homologous structures are features in different organisms that share a common ancestor but have different functions.

Front

What is the advantage of having different shaped beaks in birds?

Back

Different shaped beaks allow birds to eat the food readily available in their environment.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

Back

Mutations are changes in DNA that can lead to variations, which are essential for evolution.

Front

What is extinction?

Back

Extinction is the end of an organism or a group of organisms, often due to environmental changes or loss of habitat.

Front

What is the difference between analogous and homologous structures?

Back

Analogous structures serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestor, while homologous structures share a common ancestor but have different functions.

Front

What is adaptive radiation?

Back

Adaptive radiation is the process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a variety of forms to adapt to different environments.