Patterns and Evidence of Evolution

Front

What is a vestigial structure?

Back

A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through evolution.

Front

What does it mean if two structures are homologous?

Back

Homologous structures are body parts in different species that share a common ancestry, even if they have different functions.

Front

What is the fossil record?

Back

The fossil record is a historical sequence of life on Earth, preserved in rocks, showing how species have changed over time.

Front

What is fitness in the context of evolution?

Back

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

Front

What is co-evolution?

Back

Co-evolution is when two or more species influence each other's evolution, often seen in predator-prey relationships.

Front

What are analogous structures?

Back

Analogous structures are body parts in different species that have similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

Front

What is divergent evolution?

Back

Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more different over time, often due to different environments.

Front

What is speciation?

Back

Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing ones, often due to genetic changes or environmental factors.

Front

What is embryology in the study of evolution?

Back

Embryology is the study of embryos and their development, providing evidence of evolutionary relationships among species.

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.