UNIT 8 - Evidence for Evolution 👨‍🔬

Homologous structures

Anatomical features derived from a common ancestor.

Analogous structures

Body parts with similar functions but different origins.

Vestigial structures

Reduced features with no current function in organisms.

Uniformitarianism

Geological processes occurring today also shaped the Earth historically.

Fossil

Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.

Natural selection

Process where organisms better adapted survive and reproduce.

Adaptation

Trait enhancing survival and reproduction in specific environments.

Artificial selection

Human-directed breeding for desired traits in organisms.

Heritability

Proportion of variation in traits due to genetics.

Genetic variation

Differences in DNA among individuals in a population.

Overproduction

Species produce more offspring than can survive.

Competition/struggle

Organisms compete for limited resources in their environment.

Fitness

Reproductive success of an organism in its environment.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce