Chapter 10 Evolution Vocab Biology
Analogous Structures
Structures that perform a similar function but are not similar in origin. Bat wings vs. insect wings
Heritability
Ability of a trait to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Population
All the individuals of a species that live in an area
Variation
Differences in physical traits of individuals from those of other individuals
Adaptation
Feature that allows an organism to better survive in its environment. Can lead to genetic change in population over time.
Homologous Structures
Features that are similar in structure but appear in different organisms and have different functions. Bat wings and human hands
Species
Group of organisms so similar to one another that they can reproduce and have fertile offspring
Artificial Selection
Humans change a species by breeding it for certain traits.
Fitness
Measure of the ability to survive and produce more offspring relative to other members of the population in a given environment
Natural Selection
Mechanism by which individuals that have inherited beneficial adaptations produce more offspring on average than do other individuals.
Evolution
Process of biological change by which descendants come to differ from their ancestors
Vestigial Structures
Remnants of organs or structures that had a function in an early ancestor. Ostrich wings
Uniformitarianism
Theory stating that geologic processes that shape Earth are uniform through time.
Gradualism
Theory stating that landforms resulted from slow changes over a long period of time. This can also be used in reference to animal changes
Catastrophism
Theory stating that natural disasters have happened often during Earth's history shaping landforms and causing species to go extinct.
Fossils
Traces of organisms that existed in the past
Four main principles to the theory of natural selection
Variation, Overproduction, Adaptation, Descent with modification