7th Grade Advanced Life Science Unit 5: Evolution Academic Vocabulary

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to evolution in advanced life science for 7th-grade students.

Evolution

Scientific theory explaining the gradual change of species over time.

Charles Darwin

Naturalist known for his contributions to the understanding of evolution through natural selection.

Adaptation

A trait that increases an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in its environment.

Extinction

The permanent loss of a species from Earth.

Fitness

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Fossil

Remains or impressions of ancient organisms preserved in rock.

Fossil Record

Chronological collection of life's remains in sedimentary rock layers.

Relative Dating

Method of determining the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other layers of rock.

Radioactive Dating (Absolute)

Technique used to determine the actual age of a fossil through the decay of carbon.

Natural Selection

Process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Artificial Selection/Selective Breeding

Process by which humans breed specific plants or animals for desired traits.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species that live in a specific area.

Variation

Differences between individuals of the same species.

Analogous Structures

Body parts in different species that have similar functions but evolve separately.

Cladogram/branching tree

Diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various species.

Homologous Structures

Body parts in different species that have similar structures but may serve different functions.

Coevolution

Process where two or more species influence each other's evolution.

Vestigial Structure

Body parts that have lost their original function through evolution.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Behavioral Isolation

When two species have different mating behaviors that prevent them from interbreeding.

Geographic Isolation

When a physical barrier divides a population, leading to the formation of new species.

Reproductive Isolation

When different species are unable to produce viable offspring.

Temporal Isolation

When species breed at different times, preventing interbreeding.

Endosymbiotic Theory

Theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic organisms.

Convergent Evolution

Process where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environments.

Divergent Evolution

Process where two or more related species become more dissimilar over time.