Darwin's theory of evolution (intro/terms)

This refers to the great number and immense variety of species on Earth.

• diversity of life

• natural selection

• overproduction of offspring

• variation in a population

This is the process by which species accumulate differences from their ancestors as they adapt to different environments over time.

• descent with modification

• use and disuse

• inheritance of acquired characteristics

• gradualism/ uniformitarianism

In this concept, each life form, perfect and permanent, has its allotted rung on a ladder that arranges life-forms in order of increasing complexity.

• scala naturae

• nested hierarchies

• diversity of life

• binomial nomenclature

This refers to the two-part naming system of organisms.

• binomial nomenclature

• scala naturae

• natural selection

• artificial selection

In this system, similar species are grouped into increasingly inclusive categories.

• nested hierarchies

• natural selection

• scala naturae

• binomial nomenclature

This concept states that the Earth has largely been shaped by sudden, short-lived, violent events, possibly worldwide in scope.

• catastrophism

• gradualism/ uniformitarianism

• natural selection

• artificial selection

This concept states that the Earth’s geologic features could be explained by slow but continuous processes that result in a cumulative effect.

• catastrophism

• gradualism/ uniformitarianism

• natural selection

• artificial selection

This concept states that parts of the body that are used extensively become larger and stronger, while those that are not used deteriorate.

• use and disuse

• inheritance of acquired characteristics

• natural selection

• artificial selection

This concept states that an organism can pass on modifications it obtained during its lifetime to its offspring.

• use and disuse

• inheritance of acquired characteristics

• natural selection

• artificial selection

This is the proces in which individuals that have certain inherited traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than do other individuals because of those traits.

• use and disuse

• inheritance of acquired characteristics

• natural selection

• artificial selection