Introduction to Evolution

A series of vocabulary flashcards that summarize key concepts related to the introduction of evolution.

Decent with modification

The concept that species change over time, passing traits from ancestors to descendants.

Scala Naturae

A linear ranking of life forms, proposed by Aristotle, from inanimate matter to humans and angels.

Natural selection

A process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Paleontology

The scientific study of the history of life on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.

Uniformitarianism

The theory that the same geological processes that operate today also operated in the past.

Adaptation

A modification in behavior, physiology, or structure of an organism to become more suited to an environment.

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

The theory proposed by Lamarck that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime could be passed to its offspring.

Overproduction of offspring

A phenomenon where species produce more offspring than can survive, leading to competition for survival.

Tree of Life

Darwin's metaphor for the evolutionary relationships among species, depicting life as branching rather than linear.

Galápagos Islands

An archipelago where Darwin observed unique species that led to his theory of evolution and adaptation.

Variation in a population

Differences among individuals in a population, which is a key factor in evolution.

Sedimentary rock layers

Layers of rock formed from sediment, which can reveal information about the Earth's history and fossil records.

Principles of Geology

A significant work by Charles Lyell that laid the groundwork for understanding geological processes.

Use and Disuse

Lamarck's idea that traits developed or diminished based on the frequency of their use within an organism's life.

Malthusian theory

The idea proposed by Thomas Malthus that population growth can outpace resources, leading to struggle for survival.