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