test

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Evolution

Change in the genetic makeup of a population over time.

Adaptation

An advantageous trait that enhances an organism's survival and reproduction.

Variation

Differences in traits among individuals in a population.

Mutation

A change in DNA sequence.

Fitness (Biological fitness)

The ability of organisms to survive and leave behind offspring that survive to adulthood.

Homologous Structures

Structures that are structurally similar but functionally different, evidencing a common ancestor.

Analogous Structures

Structures that have the same function but different structures, evidencing similar environmental pressures.

Convergent Evolution

The process where unrelated organisms develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

Stabilizing Selection

Selection that favors the currently most common trait.

Directional Selection

Selection that favors one extreme variation of a trait.

Disruptive Selection

Selection that favors two extreme variations of a trait and selects against the current most common trait.

Cladogram

A diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among a set of species.

Vestigial Structures

Structures that are smaller and less functional, indicating change over time.

Comparative DNA

Analysis of DNA sequences for the same proteins to show relatedness among organisms.

Comparative Embryology

Comparison of embryo developmental stages across organisms to show relatedness.

Fossil Record

A record of fossils that provides information on past life and evolutionary changes.

Genetic Recombination

The process of combining DNA from two parents during sexual reproduction to create genetic variation.

Overproduction

The phenomenon where organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support, leading to competition.