8.LS4.2 Common Ancestry

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What is common ancestry?

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Common ancestry refers to the idea that different species share a common ancestor from which they have evolved over time.

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What is a characteristic in biological terms?

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A characteristic is a feature or quality that helps to define a species, such as physical traits or behaviors.

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What does it mean for species to adapt?

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Adaptation is the process by which species change over time to better survive in their environment.

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past, often found in sedimentary rock.

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How do scientists use fossils?

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Scientists study fossils to understand the history of life on Earth and how different species have evolved.

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What is the significance of the Galápagos Islands in evolutionary biology?

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The Galápagos Islands are significant because they were studied by Charles Darwin, leading to his theory of natural selection and evolution.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is a species?

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A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

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What is the difference between analogous and homologous structures?

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Analogous structures are similar in function but different in structure and evolutionary origin, while homologous structures are similar in structure but may serve different functions.

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What is a phylogenetic tree?

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A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.