Evidence for Evolution Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about evidence for evolution.

Scientific Theory

In science, a principle created after years of experiments and observation, based on testable evidence, and stood the test of time. NOT a guess.

Evolution

The change in the genetics of a species over several generations that relies on the process of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow.

Macroevolution

Refers to large-scale changes that occur over extended time periods, such as the formation of new species and groups.

Microevolution

Refers to small-scale changes that affect just one or a few genes and happen in populations over shorter timescales.

Fossils

Preserved remains of living things that can show body structures and common ancestry.

Permineralization

Occurs when minerals carried by water are deposited around a hard structure.

Cast Fossil

Forms when flowing water removes all of the original tissue, leaving an impression.

Amber-Preserved Fossil

Organisms that become trapped in tree resin that hardens after the tree is buried.

Impression Fossil

Imprints left in rock.

Preserved Remains

Form when an entire organism becomes encased in material such as ice, ash, or tar.

Relative Dating

Estimates the time during which an organism lived by comparing the placement of fossils in layers of rock to infer the order in which species existed.

Radiometric Dating

Using chemicals to determine the age of rock in a lab.

Comparative Anatomy

A unique physical feature (bone, ligament, body plan, etc.) that species share and inherited from a common ancestor.

Homologous Traits

Physical traits present due to shared evolutionary history.

Vestigial Traits

Traits that are becoming less prominent in species over time.

Analogous Structures

Similar traits that are due to convergent evolution, not a common ancestor.

Embryology

The study of embryos of developing vertebrate animals which look very similar.

Gill Slits

All vertebrate species develop these while they are undergoing development as an embryo.

Molecular Biology/Genetics

The DNA across living organisms is very similar using the same process of gene expression and 20 amino acids to build proteins.

Homologous Genes

Having the same gene in two different species which suggests they have a common ancestor.

Biogeography

The study of how geography gives evidence for evolution, where island species most closely resemble the nearest mainland species, and populations vary from one island to another.

Direct Observation of Evolution

Observing small changes (microevolution) in organisms that reproduce quickly over a relatively short period of time.

Lactase

The enzyme that historically, humans have been unable to produce and process milk with once they reach young adulthood.

Antibiotic Resistance

When bacteria have a gene that gives them the ability to survive antibiotics and transfer that gene to other bacteria.