Darwin and Evolution

Flashcards about Darwin and Evolution

Big Idea In Biology

The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life

Evolution

Change in allele frequency over time

Natural Selection

Individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully

Adaptations

Inherited traits that make an individual better suited to the environment

Fitness

Ability to survive and leave offspring

Descent with Modification

At the base of tree is a common ancestor, Branching due to some modification, More similar species share a more recent common ancestor, Most branches become extinct

Evidence for Evolution

Features of life that support the theory of evolution

Archaeopteryx

Links reptiles & birds

Artificial Selection

Man has been selecting for desirable traits and changing species for thousands of years

Vestigial Organs

Remnants of structures that were functional in an ancestral species

Comparative Embryology

Chick embryo (LM), Pharyngeal pouches, Post-anal tail, Human embryo, Related species have similar stages of development

Branching from a common ancestor

Divergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Unrelated species solving a similar problem with a similar solution

Parallel evolution

Animals living in similar habitats and having a common ancestor evolve similar structures

Coevolution

Evolution in one species is a response to evolution in a related species