Fossils, Natural Selection, and Evolution

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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, indicating evolutionary relationships. For example, the wing of a bird and the forelimb of a horse are homologous structures.

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What does natural selection favor?

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Natural selection favors heritable features that make organisms better suited to survive and reproduce in their environment.

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What is the origin of mammals?

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Mammals first originated in the ocean, as evidenced by the evolutionary history of whales and humans.

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How do mutations occur?

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Mutations are random changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to variations in traits among organisms.

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What is the role of environmental pressure in evolution?

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Environmental pressure can influence the rate of mutations and the process of natural selection, leading to adaptations in species.

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What is a vestigial structure?

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A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through evolution, such as the human appendix.

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How does evolution explain the diversity of life?

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Evolution explains the diversity of life through processes like natural selection, genetic drift, and mutations, leading to adaptations and speciation.

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What is the significance of fossil records?

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Fossil records provide evidence of past life forms and their evolutionary changes over time, helping to trace the history of species.

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What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?

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Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed specific traits in organisms, while natural selection occurs without human intervention, based on survival and reproduction.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species, often due to geographic isolation or environmental changes.