Evolution and Natural Selection

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What does common ancestry mean in the context of evolution?

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Common ancestry refers to the idea that two or more species share a recent common ancestor, meaning they have evolved from the same lineage.

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Why is evolution considered a scientific theory?

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Evolution is called a theory because it is supported by a large amount of evidence from various scientific fields, demonstrating its validity.

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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 the course of evolution, such as the human appendix.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a similar origin but may serve different functions, indicating a common ancestry.

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How do similarities in bone structures provide evidence for evolution?

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Similarities in bone structures among different organisms suggest that they may have developed from a common ancestor.

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What is the significance of fossil evidence in understanding evolution?

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Fossils provide historical evidence of past life forms and their changes over time, supporting the theory of evolution.

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What are analogous structures?

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

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What role does natural selection play in evolution?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, driving evolutionary change.

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What is the difference between microevolution and macroevolution?

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Microevolution refers to small-scale changes within a species, while macroevolution involves larger-scale changes that can lead to the emergence of new species.

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What is genetic drift?

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Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in allele frequencies within a population, which can lead to significant evolutionary changes over time.