Evolution of Brain and Behavior

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts related to the evolution of brain and behavior, aiming to aid understanding and recall for exam preparation.

Evolution

A gradual change of one species into another; a process that occurs over time regardless of whether changes are helpful or harmful.

Paleontology

Branch of science concerned with fossils of animals and plants; essential for understanding species formation.

Natural Selection

The process whereby traits become more or less common based on differential reproduction over time.

Adaptations

Traits that increase the probability of survival of an organism in a specific environment.

Fitness

A measure of how well a species or individual fits into its ecological niche.

Homology

Features based on common ancestry, indicating evolutionary connections between species.

Homoplasy

Similar features that evolved independently in different species, such as the ability to fly in bats and birds.

Taxonomy

Classification system of organisms, which includes hierarchical categories like species, genus, family, etc.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of species, reflecting how species are related through common ancestors.

Genetic Variations

Differences in DNA that can affect traits and influence evolution.