Checkpoint 3.2 Evolution Review

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What is evolution?

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Evolution is the process by which populations of organisms change over generations through variations in traits, driven by natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the mechanism by which individuals with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the increase of those traits in the population.

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What are beneficial traits?

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Beneficial traits are characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is divergent evolution?

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Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures.

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What is convergent evolution?

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Convergent evolution is when unrelated species develop similar traits or adaptations due to similar environmental challenges.

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What is coevolution?

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Coevolution is the process where two or more species influence each other's evolution, often seen in predator-prey relationships or mutualistic interactions.

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What is artificial selection?

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Artificial selection, or selective breeding, is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits.

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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, even if they have different functions.

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What is the significance of the fossil record?

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The fossil record provides evidence of past life forms, showing how organisms have evolved over time and how environments have changed.

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What is a mutation?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which can lead to new traits and contribute to genetic diversity.