3.0 Evidence for Evolution

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What is adaptive radiation?

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The diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecological niches.

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What are homologous structures?

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Structures that have different functions but similar origins.

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How does the fossil record provide evidence for biological evolution?

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It demonstrates that species have appeared and disappeared at different times in Earth's history.

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What is an example of empirical evidence supporting the theory of common ancestry?

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The presence of similar bone structures in the limbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats.

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What role do genetic similarities play in supporting the theory of common ancestry?

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They indicate that closely related species have more similar DNA sequences.

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What is the significance of the theory of evolution?

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It explains the diversity of life and how species change over time through processes like natural selection.

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What is natural selection?

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The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is the difference between homologous and analogous structures?

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Homologous structures have a common evolutionary origin, while analogous structures have similar functions but different evolutionary origins.

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What is the importance of genetic variation in evolution?

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Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon, leading to evolution.

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How do mutations contribute to evolution?

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Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can lead to new traits that may be beneficial for survival.