Darwin and the Theory of Evolution

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to Darwin and the Theory of Evolution, providing definitions and explanations for each term.

Theory of Evolution

A scientific explanation of how populations change over time through processes like natural selection.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.

Acquired Characters

Traits that are gained or lost due to an individual's experiences during their lifetime, which are incorrectly thought to be passed on to offspring (as per Lamarck's theory).

Common Descent

The concept that different species share a common ancestor from which they have evolved.

Müllerian Mimicry

A phenomenon where two or more unpalatable species evolve to resemble each other, enhancing predator avoidance.

Homology

Similarities in structure between different species that arise from a common ancestor.

Fossil Evidence

Physical remains or imprints of organisms from the past that provide crucial data on the history of life and patterns of evolution.

Artificial Selection

The human-driven process of breeding organisms for desired traits, which showcases mechanisms of evolution.

Linnaean Classification

A hierarchical system for grouping organisms based on similarities, established by Carl Linnaeus.

Descent with Modification

Darwin's concept that species evolve over time and share common ancestry.

Experimental Evolution

Research method in which populations are subjected to controlled conditions to observe evolutionary changes in real-time.

Creationism

The belief that the universe and life originated from specific acts of divine creation, as opposed to natural processes.

Intelligent Design

A belief that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, and not through an undirected process like natural selection.

Phylogenetic Tree

A branching diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on their shared characteristics.

Vestigial Structures

Remnants of traits or structures that served a function in an ancestor but are reduced or non-functional in the current species.

Misconceptions about Evolution

Common misunderstandings regarding how evolution and natural selection work, often based on outdated or inaccurate interpretations.