Chicken or the Egg: Evolutionary Science Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the biological and evolutionary concepts discussed in the chicken vs. egg debate.

OV-17

A protein essential for the formation of chicken egg shells that is only found in chicken ovaries.

DNA replication

A process during reproduction where genetic information is passed along, which is never 100% accurate and often produces minor changes for the new organism.

Mutations

Small changes in DNA that occur over thousands of generations to create new species.

Zygote

The initial cell where genetic mutations must occur to potentially result in a new species.

Proto-chicken

A creature very similar to a chicken that, through a small genetic mutation in its offspring, produced the first true chicken.

Selective pressures

Factors, such as humans choosing wolves that were less aggressive or not afraid of humans, that lead to genetic and behavioral trait differences over many generations.

Evolution

A process so gradual that no one specific birth can really be considered a new species at the time it occurs.