Time Machine

Evolution

Observed changes in organisms over successive generations.

Fossil Record

Shows progression of species over time, including links between major groups.

Transitional Forms

Intermediate forms between two different groups showing gradual changes over time.

Chronological Order

Fossils found in order, with the oldest at the bottom layers and youngest at the top.

Geographic Distribution

Certain groups of organisms that were widespread now only found in specific regions.

Anatomical Changes

Fossilized body parts show the morphology of organisms, allowing comparison to modern animals, showing the evolutionary relationships between the two (lineage).

Vestigial Structures

Fossils preserve structures that were functional for ancestors but are not functional in modern descendants.

Homologous Structures

Anatomical structures in different species that share a common ancestry.

Comparative Anatomy

The comparison of the anatomy of different species to infer evolutionary relationships.

Comparative Embryology

Similarities in early developmental stages of different species.

Earliest Evidence of Life

Simple single-celled organisms like bacteria found in fossil records approximately 3.5-3.8 billion years ago.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms with favorable characteristics survive and reproduce.

Variation

Differences in characteristics among members of the same species.

Genetic Variation

Diversity in gene frequencies within a population, necessary for evolution.

Recessive Gene

Traits that only show up if both copies of the gene are inherited.

Dominant Gene

The trait that is expressed when at least one copy of the gene is present.

Environmental Factors

Elements like climate, habitat, food sources, and predators that influence survival.

Continental Drift

The theory that continents were once joined and have since moved apart.

Pangea

A supercontinent that included all of Earth's landmasses joined together.

Fossil Correlation

Matching fossils across continents to support the theory of continental drift.

Glacial Striations

Marks left by glaciers that show the direction of ice movement in the past - Paleoclimate data

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

The molten, ductile layer of the mantle where rocks flow slowly.

Earthquakes

Sudden releases of energy due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Plate Tectonics theory

The Earth’s lithosphere is made up of tectonic plates which are constantly moving slowly but gradually

Seismometers

Instruments used to monitor and study earthquakes.

Magnetometers

Devices used to detect magnetic variations near undersea ridges.

Convection Currents

The movement of fluid caused by differences in temperature, occurring in the mantle.

Mesosphere

The solid, rigid middle layer of the Earth beneath the lithosphere.

Outer Core

The molten layer of the Earth's core, responsible for generating the magnetic field.

Inner Core

The solid, dense innermost layer of the Earth composed mostly of iron and nickel.

Genetic Diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a population.

Survival Instinct

Innate behaviors that promote an organism's survival in its environment.

Common Ancestor

A species from which two or more different species have evolved.

Adaptation

A change in an organism that improves its ability to survive in its environment.

Predation Pressure

The impact that predator populations can have on their prey’s populations.

Selective Pressure

Environmental factors that contribute to natural selection.

history of natural selection

discovered by charles darwin as he observed many species

4 steps of natural selection

variation, show favourable characteristics, reproduce and pass down characteristics, they become more common in population

Climate & Habitat selection pressure

Temperature or surroundings can endanger or disadvantage a species

Food and Diet Selection Pressure

Populations reliant on a specific food source risk extinction if that source vanishes

other selection pressures

disease, pollution, habitat destruction (deforestation, urbanisation)

Compositional Diagram

describes the materials they consist of

Mechanical Diagram

describes the behaviour of the materials they consist of

Jigsaw fit of continents

Wegener saw that the continents fit like a jigsaw puzzle into one supercontinent

Rock & Mountain Correlation

Rocks formed at the same time in same location but moving continents teared rocks apart

Earthquakes explain…

why they occur in specific areas, the flip flop of magnetic fields (molten rock filling up gaps in tectonic plates)