Ch 15 - Darwin's Theory of Evolution

Front

What are vestigial organs?

Back

Vestigial organs are reduced in size and serve little to no function, remnants of homologous organs in other species.

Front

What forces organisms to compete for resources according to Darwin?

Back

High birth rates and a shortage of life's basic needs force organisms to compete for resources.

Front

Is Darwin's theory of evolution just a hypothesis?

Back

False. Darwin's theory of evolution is supported by substantial evidence.

Front

What are homologous structures?

Back

Structures that have different mature forms but develop from the same embryonic tissues.

Front

What did Darwin observe about the characteristics of animals and plants in the Galápagos Islands?

Back

Darwin observed that the characteristics of many animals and plants varied noticeably among the different islands.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the Galápagos finches in Darwin's theory?

Back

The Galápagos finches exemplify adaptive radiation, showing how species evolve different traits based on their environment.

Front

What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

Back

Homologous structures share a common ancestry but may serve different functions, while analogous structures serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

Front

What role does variation play in evolution?

Back

Variation among individuals in a population is essential for natural selection, as it provides the raw material for evolution.

Front

What is the concept of survival of the fittest?

Back

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