Evolution

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What are analogous structures?

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Body parts that do not have a common evolutionary origin but are similar in function, such as bird wings and butterfly wings.

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What is natural selection?

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A mechanism for change in populations where organisms with favorable phenotypes survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.

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What are homologous structures?

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Body parts that share a common evolutionary origin but may serve different functions, such as the forelimbs of humans and whales.

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What is artificial selection?

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The process by which humans breed only the best livestock or plants for desired traits.

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What is mimicry?

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When a plant or animal resembles another animal or object for defense or to gain an advantage.

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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 gene flow?

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The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can affect genetic diversity.

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What is disruptive selection?

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A type of natural selection that favors extreme phenotypes over intermediate phenotypes.

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What is the significance of variation in a population?

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Variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon, leading to evolution.

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What is speciation?

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The process by which new species arise from existing species, often due to reproductive isolation.