Evolution (Evidence and Mechanisms)

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What are Analogous Structures?

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Structures that are similar in function but not in structure, indicating convergent evolution.

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What is a common ancestor?

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An ancestor that two or more species share, indicating they have evolved from the same lineage.

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What is a vestigial structure?

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A structure that has lost most or all of its original function through the course of evolution, such as human wisdom teeth.

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What are homologous structures?

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Similar structures found in different species that have different functions, indicating divergent evolution.

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What does the fossil record provide evidence for?

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It provides evidence of the history of life on Earth and shows how species have changed over time.

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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 genetic drift?

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A mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population.

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What is speciation?

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The process by which new species arise from existing species, often due to evolutionary pressures.

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What is the significance of embryonic development in evolution?

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Similarities in embryonic development among different species can indicate common ancestry.

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What is adaptive radiation?

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The process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a variety of forms to adapt to different environments.