Focused Finish: Evolution, Taxonomy & Classification

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What is a vestigial structure?

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A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through evolution. An example is the pelvis bone in whales.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are body parts in different species that have the same basic structure but different functions, indicating a common ancestry.

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What does fitness mean in an evolutionary context?

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Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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What is conditioning in animal behavior?

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Conditioning is a learning process in which an animal learns to associate a specific behavior with a reward or punishment.

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What does it mean for an organism to be more fit for its environment?

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An organism is considered more fit for its environment if it has adaptations that enhance its survival and reproductive success.

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What is adaptive radiation?

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Adaptive radiation is the process by which a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

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What is the difference between analogous and homologous structures?

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Analogous structures serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestry, while homologous structures share a common ancestry but have different functions.

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What is the significance of fossil evidence in evolution?

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Fossil evidence provides insights into the history of life on Earth, showing how species have changed over time and how they are related.

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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 role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can lead to new traits in organisms, which may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral in terms of survival.