Investigating Body Structure Differences

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Species Noun

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[spee-sheez]

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Species

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A group of similar organisms that can reproduce with each other to create fertile offspring.

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Example: Different species like penguins, tigers, and butterflies show how organisms are grouped.

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Population Noun

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[pop-yuh-lay-shun]

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Population

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All the organisms of the same species that live in the same geographical area at the same time.

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Example: The image shows different species living together in a pond ecosystem, illustrating a population.

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Body Structure Noun

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[bod-ee struk-cher]

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Body Structure

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A specific part of an organism's body, such as a limb or organ, that performs a particular function.

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Example: The image shows the structure of a bacterium, highlighting parts like the cell wall and DNA, which are specific body structures performing functions.

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Shared Structure Noun

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[shaird struk-cher]

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Shared Structure

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A body part found in different species that is similar in structure, suggesting they evolved from a common ancestor.

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Example: The image shows similar bone structures in different animals, indicating they evolved from a common ancestor.

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Common Ancestor Noun

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[kom-un an-ses-ter]

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Common Ancestor

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An earlier species from which two or more different species have evolved over many generations through descent.

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Example: The diagram shows how humans and great apes share common ancestors, illustrating evolutionary relationships.

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Descendant Species Noun

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[dih-sen-dant spee-sheez]

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Descendant Species

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A species that has evolved from a specific ancestor species over many generations, often showing new traits.

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Example: Different finch beaks evolved from a common ancestor, showing how species adapt over generations.

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Adaptation Noun

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[ad-ap-tay-shun]

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Adaptation

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The evolutionary process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over the course of many generations.

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Example: Different bird beaks show adaptation to eating specific foods, like seeds or insects.

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Natural Selection Noun

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[nach-er-ul suh-lek-shun]

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Natural Selection

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The process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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Example: Different bird beaks show how natural selection favors traits suited to specific food sources.

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Adaptive Trait Noun

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[uh-dap-tiv trayt]

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Adaptive Trait

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An inherited characteristic that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce within its specific environment.

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Example: Different finch beak shapes are adaptive traits for eating specific foods, helping them survive in their environment.

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Speciation Noun

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[spee-see-ay-shun]

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Speciation

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The evolutionary process by which one population splits into two or more distinct and reproductively isolated species.

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Example: The image shows how a population of butterflies splits into two groups with different traits over time, illustrating speciation.