Ch. 22 Vocab

Evolution: Descent w/Modification

fossils

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