Charles Darwin, Evidence, and Limitations of Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering Charles Darwin's observations on natural selection, physical and biological evidence supporting evolution, and structural limitations of evolution.

Charles Darwin

A naturalist who traveled around the world on "The Beagle" and was the first to propose the theory of evolution by natural selection.

"The Beagle"

The ship on which Charles Darwin traveled around the world, observing animals and plants.

First Observation of Natural Selection

There is variation in the traits of a population, and this variation is heritable.

Second Observation of Natural Selection

Some variations in traits will affect an individual's chance to survive.

Third Observation of Natural Selection

Animals give birth to more offspring than the environment can support, creating competition.

Fourth Observation of Natural Selection

Successful individuals have more offspring and pass on their successful traits, similar to human selective breeding.

Fossil Evidence of Evolution

Physical evidence from fossils showing that older organisms are less evolved than younger organisms.

Whale Evolutionary Transition

The evolution of aquatic whales from land-dwelling hoofed carnivores that began paddling in the shallows, evidenced by early whale fossils with four legs.

Archaeopteryx

The intermediate dinosaur-bird link that serves as evidence for the transition from land dinosaurs to flying birds.

Evolutionary Progression of Feathers

The sequence in which feathers evolved: initially for insulation and ornament, and eventually into gliding and flight feathers.

Embryo Resemblances

Developmental similarities across species—such as gill pouches in human embryos—demonstrating close evolutionary relationships among fish, salamanders, chickens, rabbits, and humans.

Vestigial Anatomy

Anatomical structures that no longer perform their original function, such as eyes in the salamander, baleen whale, or boa constrictor.

Homologous Anatomical Adaptations

Shared structural anatomy adapted to different functions across closely related species, such as the limbs of humans, cats, whales, and bats.

Universal Molecular Evidence

The occurrence of specific DNA sequences and proteins that are common to ALL life.

Physical Sciences Consensus on Evolution

The agreement across biology, chemistry, and astronomy that evolution is a biological reality.

Structural Limitation of Evolution

Evolution can only modify existing structures; better designs cannot be created from scratch.

Compromise Limitation of Evolution

The success of one trait has to be balanced against that of other traits, creating compromises.

Physical Limitation of Evolution

Evolution must follow the rules of physics and chemistry.

Predictive Limitation of Evolution

Evolution cannot predict future success.

whats id ivergent and covergetn evolution?

Divergent evolution is when species with the same origin increasingly become different over time due to dif enviroments while covargent evoultion are two unreleated scepies that became similar du to similar enviroments and similar cahllenegs

homologous structure and anologouse sturcture

Homologous structures are anatomical features in different species that share a common ancestry, while analogous structures are features in unrelated species that serve similar functions due to convergent evolution.

co evolution

Co-evolution is the process in which two or more species influence each other's evolutionary trajectory through mutual adaptations, often seen in interactions like predator-prey or symbiotic relationships.