Unit 8 Flashcard: Evolution/Natural Selection/Adaptations

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. Only those organisms that survive environmental changes pass on their traits to the next generation.

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What is artificial selection?

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Artificial selection is the breeding of organisms for desired traits, often facilitated by humans.

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What is a physical adaptation?

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A physical adaptation is a structural feature of an organism that enhances its ability to survive in its environment, such as the white feathers of a snowy owl that help it blend in with snow.

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What is a species?

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A species is a group of similar organisms that can reproduce and produce fertile offspring.

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What is the significance of the human-chimpanzee evolutionary relationship?

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The human-chimpanzee relationship indicates that they share a common ancestor and are closely related in evolutionary terms.

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What is the role of genetic variation in natural selection?

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Genetic variation provides the diversity within a population that allows for some individuals to be better suited to survive and reproduce in changing environments.

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What is an example of behavioral adaptation?

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An example of behavioral adaptation is migration, where animals move to different locations to find food or suitable breeding conditions.

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How does camouflage serve as an adaptation?

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Camouflage is a physical adaptation that allows an organism to blend in with its environment, helping it avoid predators.

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What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

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Natural selection occurs without human intervention, while artificial selection is controlled by humans who breed organisms for specific traits.

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What is the concept of survival of the fittest?

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Survival of the fittest refers to the idea that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.