Evolution

Evolution

A change in the genetic makeup of a population over time due to its environment.

Genetic Drift

Any random change to the allele frequency of a population due to a chance event.

Binomial Monoculture

Unique, Two-part name consisting of Genus and Species Name in Latin or Latin-ish.

Natural Selection

Process where organisms adapt to their environments to survive and reproduce, with the fittest individuals passing on their genes.

Homologous structures

Structures that are similar in two different organisms, indicating a common evolutionary origin.

Vestigial Structure

An organ or structure that has lost its original function in the course of evolution.

Analogous Structure

Structures in organisms that serve the same function but do not share a common evolutionary origin.

Phylogenetic tree

A branching diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among different species or groups.

Radiometric Dating

The use of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of fossils.

Speciation

The process by which new species evolve from existing species.

Domain

The highest taxonomic rank in the biological classification of organisms, with Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya being the three domains.