Studied by 6 peoplefossils
remains or traces of organisms from the past; usually found in sedimentary rock
strata (stratum)
layers of sedimentary rock
Old Testament
holds that species were individually designed by God and therefore perfect
taxonomy
branch of biology concerned with classifying organisms; founded by Linnaeus
Paleontology
the study of fossils; developed by Georges Cuvier
HMS Beagle
ship that Darwin accompanied Captain Fitzroy on the five year around the world voyage
Natural selection
process in which individuals with favorable inherited traits are more likely to survive and reproduce
artificial selection
the selection and breeding of individuals with desired traits
Homology
similarity resulting from common ancestry
homologous structures
anatomical resemblances that represent variations on a structural theme present in a common ancestor; similar anatomy, but different uses
comparative embryology
reveals anatomical homologies not visible in adult organisms
vestigial structures
remnants of features that served a function in the organism’s ancestors
evolutionary trees
diagrams that reflect hypotheses about the relationships among different groups
convergent evolution
the evolution of similar, or analogous, features in distantly related groups/independent evolutionary lineages
fossil record
provides evidence of the extinction of species, origin of new groups, and changes within groups over time
biogeography
the scientific study of the geographic distribution of species, provides evidence of evolution
Pangaea
the supercontinent that formed near the end of the Paleozoic era when plate movements brought all of the landmasses together
endemic
species not found anywhere else in the world
evolution
descent with modification; the idea that living species are descendants of ancestral species that were different from the present day ones; also defined more narrowly as the change in genetic composition of a population from generation to generation
adaptation
inherited characteristic of an organism that enhances its survival and reproduction in a specific environment
analogous
having characteristics that are similar because of convergent evolution, not homology
Lamarck
the scientist who held the theory that organisms change due to a response to changes in their environment
Galápagos
the island Darwin traveled to where he developed his theory of evolution
The Origin of Species
the literature authored by Darwin that outlines the basis of evolution
analogous structures
different anatomy, but similar uses
Note
Flashcard