Evolution

Front

What is a homologous structure?

Back

A homologous structure is an anatomical feature in different species that is similar due to shared ancestry, even if the function of the structure may differ.

Front

What is a vestigial structure?

Back

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

Front

Define 'survival of the fittest'.

Back

Survival of the fittest refers to the process where individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their genes.

Front

What is extinction?

Back

Extinction is the term that refers to all members of a lineage dying off or failing to reproduce.

Front

What is adaptation in the context of evolution?

Back

Adaptation is the inheritance of a structure or trait that results from natural selection, enhancing an organism's ability to survive and reproduce.

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 genetic drift?

Back

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

Front

What is convergent evolution?

Back

Convergent evolution is the process where organisms from different evolutionary backgrounds develop similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental pressures.

Front

What is gradualism in evolution?

Back

Gradualism is the theory that evolution occurs slowly and steadily over long periods of time, rather than in sudden changes.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Back

Homologous structures arise from a common ancestor, while analogous structures arise independently in different species due to similar environmental pressures.