Evolution and Natural Selection Flashcard

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What is natural selection?

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The process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully.

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What is genetic variation?

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The differences in DNA among individuals within a population or species.

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How does adaptation affect a species' survival?

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It increases a species' chance of survival by making it better suited to its environment.

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What is the classification system in biology used for?

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To organize living organisms into groups based on their similarities and evolutionary history.

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What was Pangaea?

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A theory that suggests all current continents were once part of a single supercontinent.

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What is evolution?

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The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

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What is a mutation?

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A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in an organism.

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What is a species?

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

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What is the role of fossils in understanding evolution?

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Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.

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What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?

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Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed specific traits, while natural selection is the process by which nature selects traits that enhance survival.