Evidence for Evolution

Front

What is the concept of natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

Front

Define homologous structures.

Back

Homologous structures are body parts in different species that share a common ancestry, even though they may serve different functions.

Front

What are vestigial structures?

Back

Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost their original function through evolution. They are remnants of features that served a purpose in an ancestor.

Front

Explain adaptive radiation.

Back

Adaptive radiation is the process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments.

Front

What is the significance of fossil evidence in evolution?

Back

Fossil evidence provides historical records of past life forms and shows how species have changed over time, supporting the theory of evolution.

Front

What does the term 'common ancestor' mean?

Back

A common ancestor refers to a species from which two or more different species have evolved.

Front

Describe the concept of artificial selection.

Back

Artificial selection is the intentional breeding of organisms with desirable traits by humans, leading to changes in the species over generations.

Front

What is the difference between analogous and homologous structures?

Back

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

Front

How does genetic variation contribute to evolution?

Back

Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection, allowing populations to adapt to changing environments.

Front

What role do mutations play in evolution?

Back

Mutations are changes in DNA that can introduce new traits into a population, which may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral, influencing evolution.