Evidence for Evolution Review

A characteristic encoded in DNA and passed from parents to their offspring

• heterozygous

• fitness

• inherited trait

• RNA

The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

• fitness

• natural selection

• evolution

• acquired characteristic

A group of organisms that are closely related and can mate to produce fertile offspring

• population

• crowd

• species

• family

A body part that is similar in function to a body part of another organism but is structurally different. Species' similar functional parts are due to adaptation to a similar environment.

• analogous structure

• homologous structure

• vestigial structure

• acquired characteristic

The study of the distribution of organisms around the world

• herpetology

• biogeography

• evolution

• geography

The accumulation of small gradual changes can lead to big changes within a species that may cause them to form new species.

• natural selection

• evolution

• adaptation

• diversify

The inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival in its environment

• adaptation

• evolution

• fitness

• trait

The difference, variety; a condition of having many different types or forms

• homologous

• vestigial

• diversity

• homology

The branch of biology is concerned with the study of embryos and their development.

• embryology

• biogeography

• oncology

• anatomy

The structures that have different mature forms in different organisms but develop from the same embryonic tissues

• vestigial structure

• analogous structure

• homologous structure

• anatomical structure