Evolution and Natural Selection

Evolution Part 1 Notes

Evolution

Change over time in the genetic composition of a population.

Natural Selection

The mechanism by which evolution occurs, where organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Descent with Modification

A principle that describes how species evolve over time, inheriting traits from ancestors but with modifications.

Adaptation

A characteristic that enhances an organism's ability to survive in its environment.

Fitness

The ability to survive and reproduce, leading to the passing of traits to future generations.

Overproduction

The production of more offspring than can survive due to limited resources.

Catastrophism

The idea that Earth's geology and life have been shaped by sudden, short-lived, and violent events.

Gradualism

The theory that changes in the Earth and its organisms occur slowly and gradually.

Common Descent

The principle that all living organisms share a common ancestor.

Homologous Structures

Body structures that share a common ancestry but may have different functions.

Vestigial Structures

Remnants of structures that once had important functions in ancestral species.

Analogous Structures

Body parts that have similar functions but do not share a common ancestry.

Biogeography

The study of the geographic distribution of species.

Artificial Selection

The process by which humans breed certain traits into species.

Lamarckism

The early evolutionary theory proposing that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed to offspring.

Malthusian Principle

Theory that populations grow faster than resources can sustain, leading to competition.

Adaptive Radiation

The diversification of a group of organisms into forms filling different ecological niches.

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Paleontology

The study of fossils and ancient life forms.

Fossil Record

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

Comparative Embryology

The study of the similarities and differences in the embryonic development of different species.