Evolutionary Theory and Evidence

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes on evolutionary theory, focusing on key concepts and definitions.

Evolution

A change in the genetic composition of a population from generation to generation.

Natural Selection

The process by which nature selects which traits carry on into future generations.

Genetic Drift

Chance events that determine which traits carry on into future generations.

Artificial Selection

The process where humans select traits for breeding in organisms.

Homology

Similarity due to common ancestry, showing anatomical and molecular similarities between species.

Vestigial Structures

Reduced forms of functional structures in other organisms, which indicate evolutionary history.

Convergent Evolution

The process where similar environmental pressures produce similar adaptations in different lineages.

Transitional Fossils

Fossils that provide links between extinct and extant species, showing evolutionary connections.

Comparative Embryology

The study of similarities between embryonic development stages of different species.

Adaptations

Heritable characteristics that enhance an organism’s survival and reproduction in a particular habitat.