Evolution

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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Who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?

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Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, even if they have different functions.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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What is the law of superposition?

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The law of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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What is the significance of the peppered moth in studying evolution?

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The peppered moth is significant because it demonstrates natural selection; darker moths became more common during the Industrial Revolution due to pollution.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

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What are analogous structures?

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Analogous structures are body parts in different species that have similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

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What is a vestigial structure?

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A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through the course of evolution.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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Who is Thomas Malthus and what was his contribution to evolutionary theory?

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Thomas Malthus was an economist who hypothesized that human populations are kept in check by war, famine, and disease, influencing Darwin's ideas on natural selection.

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What is genetic variation?

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Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA among individuals within a population, which is essential for natural selection.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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What is adaptation in the context of evolution?

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Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

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