click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Unit5VocabRM
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Absolute (radiometric) dating | method of determining the age of a fossil using radioactive atoms |
| Adaptation | any structure or behavior that allows a population to survive in their environment |
| Adaptive radiation | evolutionary pattern in which many species evolve from a single ancestor |
| Analogous | different structures with common functions |
| Convergent evolution | process by which different species become more alike when living in similar environments |
| Divergent evolution | process by which similar species becomes less alike when living in different environments |
| Evolution | gradual change in a species over time |
| Extinction | the death of every member of the species |
| Fossil | evidence of a organism that lived in the past |
| Homologous | similarly built structures with different functions |
| Natural selection | when organisms survive, reproduce, and pass favorable traits to the next generation |
| Relative dating | a method of determining an estimated age of a fossil within layers of the earth |
| Speciation | process by which new species are formed |
| Strata | layers of rock (sedimentary rock) |
| Vestigial | a body structure that at one time was very useful, however now it has limited functions |
| Competition | organisms battle for resources in their population and against other populations |
| Common ancestry | idea organisms closely related to each other had a common ancestor |
| Invertebrate | organisms that does NOT have a backbone(spine); evolved before vertebrates |
| Vertebrate | organisms that DOES have a backbone(spine); evolved after invertebrates |
| Mammal | animal that has hair and produces milk for young; last to evolve |
| Variation | difference in a particular trait within a population (ex. finch beaks-size and shape;marine iguanas- color) |