Explain what Natural Selection is.

Natural Selection is the process where organisms with beneficial traits survive and reproduce more successfully.

Explain how Evolution happens.

Evolution occurs in populations over generations.

Why is Genetic Variation important?

Genetic variation is necessary for natural selection.

What do Mutations do?

Mutations create new genetic variation.

What do Adaptations do?

Adaptations increase survival and reproductive success.

Define Adaptation.

Adaptation occurs over generations through natural selection, where individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing these advantageous traits to their offspring.

Define Fitness.

Fitness refers to an organism’s ability to survive, reproduce, and pass its genes to the next generation, often called Darwinian fitness.

Define Mutation.

A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism that can affect its genes and may be passed to offspring.

Define Speciation.

Speciation is the evolutionary process through which new, genetically distinct species arise from an existing species, often due to reproductive isolation and genetic differentiation.

Define Genetic Variation.

Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals within a species, which underlie the diversity of traits and enable evolution.

Define Selective Pressure.

Selective pressure means any environmental factor that influences which individuals in a population are more likely to survive and reproduce. (Ex: predators, climate, food source)

Define Convergent Evolution.

Convergent evolution is when 2 unrelated organisms evolve with similar traits. (ex: 2 different birds, put into a cage and adapting to the cage that was set up for a 3rd species)

Define Divergent Evolution.

Divergent evolution is when similar species evolve different traits over time in order to adapt to different environments or selective pressures.

Define Adaptive Radiation.

Adaptive radiation is when one ancestral species rapidly evolves into different species.

What are Fossils?

Fossils are preserved remains, impressions, or traces of ancient organisms that provide crucial insights into the history of life on Earth.

What are Homologous Structures?

Homologous Structures are similar underlying anatomy because they were inherited from a common ancestor.

DNA Similarities are

Crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships and heredity.

Define Embryology.

Embryology is the branch of biology that studies the formation, development, and growth of embryos from fertilization to birth.

Define Biogeography.

Biogeography is the scientific study of the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographic space and through geological time.