Evidence for evolution/hereditary and reproduction

Locus

The specific physical location of a gene or DNA sequence on a chromosome.

Gene

A unit of heredity comprising a region of DNA that encodes a functional RNA or protein product.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material or DNA present in an organism or cell.

Allele

An alternative form of a gene located at a specific locus on a chromosome.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a specific gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a specific gene.

Dominant

An allele or phenotype that masks the expression of a recessive allele in a heterozygous genotype.

Recessive

An allele or phenotype that is expressed only when homozygous.

Chromosome

A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Homologous chromosomes

Chromosome pairs of similar length and gene sequence, with genes for the same characteristics at corresponding loci.

Sister chromatids

Two identical copies of a single replicated chromosome, connected by a centromere.

Non-sister chromatids

Chromatids derived from different chromosomes of a homologous pair.

Genotype

The genetic makeup or specific allele combination of an organism.

Phenotype

The observable physical, physiological, or behavioral traits of an organism resulting from genotype-environment interactions.

Central dogma

The foundational framework describing the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Fossil record

The total collection of discovered fossils and their placement in chronological order to reveal the evolutionary history of life.

Strata

Layers of sedimentary rock or soil that differ in character or origin from surrounding layers.

Transitional fossils (intermediate forms)

Fossilized remains displaying physical traits common to both an ancestral group and its derived descendant group.

Relative age

The age of a geological layer or fossil expressed in comparison to surrounding layers, using principles like the law of superposition.

Law of superposition

A geological principle stating that in undeformed sedimentary rock layers, older layers lie beneath younger layers.

Absolute age

The actual numerical age of a rock, fossil, or artifact determined through methods like radiometric dating.

Radiometric dating

A quantitative technique used to establish absolute age by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes.

Biogeography

The study of the geographical distribution of biological organisms across space and geological time.

Island biogeography

A subfield of biogeography examining factors that influence species richness, diversity, and evolution on isolated islands.

Homology

Similarity in physical features, developmental pathways, or genetic sequences among different species due to shared ancestry.

Analogy

Similarity of function or structure in different species resulting from convergent evolution rather than shared evolutionary origin.

Vestigial structure

An anatomical structure that has lost all or most of its ancestral function over evolutionary time.

Atavism

The re-emergence of an ancestral trait or morphological structure that was absent in recent ancestors.

Embryology

The study of gametes, fertilization, and embryo development, providing comparative structural evidence for shared evolutionary ancestry.

Pseudogenes

Non-functional DNA sequences in the genome that resemble functional genes but have lost their protein-coding ability.

Chromosomal and genetic evidence

Evidence derived from comparing chromosome structure, sequence similarities, and DNA homologies to establish evolutionary relationships.