y10 evolution

variations

Differences in traits between individuals of the same species

traits

any feature of an organism

acquired traits

a feature gained during an individual's lifetime

genetic traits

features passed down by genes to the next generation

mutations

small, random changes in DNA

evolution

The change in genetic traits in a population over many generations

population

a group of organisms of the same species living in the same place

genetic variation

differences in features or DNA between individuals of the same species

genetic diversity

the amount of genetic variation

natural selection

the survival of organisms that are better adapted to their environment

selective agents

The environmental factor that acts on a population

selective pressure

a challenge that affects an organism's ability to survive and reproduce

artificial selection

The process by which we choose to breed particular organisms with desirable features

adaptations

A genetic trait that helps an organism survive in its environment

structural adaptations

A physical feature of the body

behavioural adaptations

A behaviour or action

physiological adaptations

An internal body process

speciation

the process by which one species splits into two or more new species

species

A group of organisms that can breed to produce fertile offspring

5 steps to speciation (VISIT)

variation, isolation, selection, inheritance, time

variation in speciation

must exist in the species (caused by mutation)

isolation in speciation

stops gene exchange (interbreeding)

selection in speciation

survival of the fittest e.g. competition

inheritance in speciation

favourable characteristics are passed onto the next generation via genes

time in speciation

over many generations

the fossil record

the history of life on earth told through fossils

comparative anatomy

the study of comparing anatomical structures of species with other species and their evolutionary relationships

comparing dna

organisms with similar anatomy have more genes in common as we would expect they share a common ancestry

biodiversity

the variety of life

common ancestor

a species that two or more other species have evolved from