Natural Selection Flashcard March 28

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

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

Front

What is comparative anatomy?

Back

Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species, which provides evidence for evolution.

Front

How does comparative anatomy support natural selection?

Back

It highlights differences in structures that are adapted to specific environments, showing how species evolve.

Front

What is phenotype variation?

Back

Phenotype variation refers to the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, which can affect its survival.

Front

Give an example of phenotype variation that can lead to better survival.

Back

Different beak shapes in birds can lead to better survival by allowing them to access different food sources.

Front

What is the role of geology in natural selection?

Back

Geology provides evidence of environmental conditions that influenced species adaptation over time.

Front

How does paleontology contribute to our understanding of natural selection?

Back

Paleontology offers fossil records that show changes in species over time, illustrating the process of evolution.

Front

What is genetic variation?

Back

Genetic variation is the diversity in gene frequencies within a population, which is essential for natural selection.

Front

How does genetic variation contribute to natural selection?

Back

It provides a range of traits that may offer survival advantages, allowing for adaptation to changing environments.

Front

What is adaptation?

Back

Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.