Evolution Vocab

Front

Genetic Variation

Back

Presence of differences in sequences of genes between the organisms of a species.

Front

Endosymbiotic Theory

Back

Theory that proposes that eukaryotic cells formed from a symbiotic relationship among several different prokaryotic cells.

Front

Binomial Nomenclature

Back

Classification system in which a single imaginary line can divide the body into left and right sides that are mirror images of each other.

Front

Analogous Structure

Back

Body parts that share a common function, but not evolutionary history.

Front

Phylogeny

Back

The evolutionary history of lineage.

Front

Homologous Structure

Back

Body parts that share a common evolutionary history, even if they have different functions.

Front

Speciation

Back

The process by which new and distinct species evolve from existing species.

Front

Natural Selection

Back

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

Front

Fossil Record

Back

The history of life as documented by fossils, showing the progression of species over time.

Front

Clade

Back

A group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor.