Evolution flashcard

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What are analogous structures?

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Structures in different species that have similar functions but different evolutionary origins, such as the wings of birds and beetles.

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What is radioactive dating?

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A technique used to determine the age of rocks and fossils based on the decay of radioactive isotopes.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that create genetic diversity, which is essential for evolution.

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How do fossils support the theory of evolution?

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Fossils provide evidence that organisms have changed over time, showing a historical record of life on Earth.

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What does 'survival of the fittest' mean?

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It refers to the idea that the organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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What are homologous structures?

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Structures in different species that share a common ancestry, such as the forelimbs of mammals.

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What is the significance of the fossil record?

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The fossil record documents the history of life and shows how species have evolved over time.

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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 are vestigial structures?

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Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, such as the human appendix.

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What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

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Relative dating determines the age of fossils based on their position in rock layers, while absolute dating provides a specific age using techniques like radioactive dating.