Evolution and Natural Selection

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What is evolution?

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Evolution is the process through which species change over time through variations and natural selection.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the mechanism by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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What is adaptation?

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Adaptation is any alteration in a structure or function that allows an organism to be better suited for its environment.

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, like the pelvis in whales.

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What is fitness in biological terms?

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Fitness refers to the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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What is a common ancestor?

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

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What is the significance of DNA sequences in evolution?

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Similar DNA sequences among species provide strong molecular evidence that they share a recent common ancestor.

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What are homologous structures?

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

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What are analogous structures?

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

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing species.