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BMMS Life Sci Chpt 7
Evolution
Term | Definition |
---|---|
species | A group of organisms that are physically similar and can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce. |
fossil | The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past. |
adaptation | A behavior or physical characteristic that allows an organism to survive or reproduce in its environment. |
evolution | The gradual change of a species over time. |
scientific theory | A well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations. |
natural selection | The process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment and more likely to survive and reproduce than others of the same species. |
variation | A difference between individuals of the same species. |
comparative anatomy | The comparison of the structures of different organisms. |
homologous structures | Body parts that are structurally similar in related species. |
habitat | A specific environment that provides the things that an organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce. |
extinct | The disappearance of all members of a species from Earth. |
branching tree diagram | A diagram that shows how scientists think different groups of organisms are related. |
shared derived characteristics | A characteristic, usually a homologous structure, shared by all organisms in a group. |