Evolution and Natural Selection

Front

Definition: natural selection

Back

Organisms with traits well suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a greater rate.

Front

A trait that makes a species better suited to survive in its environment is called a(n) _________

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Adaptation.

Front

Change in a kind of organism over time; process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.

Back

Evolution.

Front

A well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations is called a(an):

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Scientific theory.

Front

A slight difference in an inherited trait between individual members of the same species.

Back

Variations.

Front

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

Back

Natural selection.

Front

What do we call the inherited characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive in its environment?

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Adaptations.

Front

What term describes the gradual change in species over time?

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Evolution.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution.

Front

What is genetic variation?

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Differences in DNA among individuals within a species.