Bio First Exam

Adaptation

A process through which a species becomes better suited to its environment, often involving genetic changes over generations.

fitness

the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment, contributing to the genetic contribution of future generations.

descent with modification

is the principle that species undergo gradual changes over time, leading to adaptations and the diversification of life forms.

natural selection

is the mechanism by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the accumulation of those traits in the population over generations.

historical constraint

refers to the limitations on evolutionary processes due to the traits and structures inherited from ancestral species, impacting how organisms can evolve over time.

methodological constraint

refers to limitations in scientific research and interpretation caused by the methodologies and techniques employed, which can affect the conclusions drawn about evolutionary processes.

biology

is the scientific study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment, encompassing various fields such as genetics, ecology, and evolution.

materialism

is a philosophical approach that emphasizes physical matter as the primary substance in nature, asserting that all phenomena, including mental phenomena, arise from material interactions.

philosophical naturalism

is a view in philosophy that suggests everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded or discounted.

Charles Darwin

Developed natural selection and fitness