Evolution Review

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What is DNA and its role in evolution?

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DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known living organisms. It is used to find common proteins and amino acids to determine how closely related species are.

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How do fossils provide evidence for evolution?

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Fossils show how life forms present today are different from those in the past, indicating changes over time and supporting the theory of evolution.

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What might happen to polar bears if they cannot adapt to melting ice in the Arctic?

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If polar bears do not have adaptations that allow them to survive the changes in their environment, they may become extinct.

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What is an analogous structure?

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Analogous structures are body parts in different species that have similar functions but evolved independently, indicating convergent evolution.

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What does variation in a species mean?

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Variation refers to the differences in physical traits among individuals of the same species, which can lead to adaptation and evolution.

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What are vestigial organs?

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Vestigial organs are body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, such as the human appendix.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is the significance of homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts in different species that share a common ancestry, indicating evolutionary relationships.

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What is extinction?

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Extinction is the end of an organism or a group of organisms, often due to environmental changes or failure to adapt.

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What is the difference between adaptation and acclimatization?

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Adaptation is a genetic change in a population over generations, while acclimatization is a short-term physiological adjustment to environmental changes.