Biological Evolution - Practice+

Front

What are homologous structures?

Back

Structures that are inherited from a common ancestor, showing similar anatomy but may serve different functions.

Front

What is a vestigial structure?

Back

An anatomical feature that no longer seems to have a purpose in the current form of an organism.

Front

Why do humans, birds, whales, and lizards have similar arm bones?

Back

They have a common ancestor.

Front

What type of evidence in evolution involves comparing similar structures in various species?

Back

Comparing anatomy.

Front

What are analogous structures?

Back

Structures that serve similar functions in different species but do not share a common ancestor.

Front

Define evolution.

Back

The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is the fossil record?

Back

The history of life as documented by fossils, providing evidence for evolution.

Front

What is embryology in the context of evolution?

Back

The study of the development of embryos, which can show similarities between different species.

Front

What is biochemistry's role in evolutionary evidence?

Back

Comparing the biochemical processes and molecules in different organisms to find similarities and differences.