science vocab

Common Ancestor

An older species that two or more modern lines branched out from.

Homology

Traits that share the same internal structure because they came from a common ancestor (even if functions differ).

Convergent Evolution

Unrelated species evolving similar traits because they live in similar environments with similar pressures.

Analogous Structure

The opposite of homology. Traits with different internal builds that do the same job due to convergent evolution.

Vestigial Structure

A physical trait that has lost its original function due to evolution but remains as a skeletal 'leftover.'

Cladogram

A branching tree diagram used to show evolutionary relationships based on shared traits.

Uniformitarianism

The scientific law stating that natural processes observed today operated the same way in the past.