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Unit 15-Evolution
Evolution Flash Cards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Evolution | the gradual change over time of organisms as they respond to environmental changes |
| Adaptations | structures organisms develop in response to environmental changes |
| Cytology | the study of cells and their organelles |
| Embryology | the study of embryos |
| radioactive dating | use of radioactive elements to determine the age of fossils |
| vestigial structures | parts that no longer have a use but are still found in an organism |
| variation | the different forms a trait may take |
| natural selection | organisms best suited to an environment pass on traits to their offspring |
| speciation | development of new species due to environmental change |
| mutation | change in an organisms DNA which may lead to changes in the species |
| reproductive isolation | barriers such as rivers and mountains which may stop organisms from mating |
| gradualism | evolution which takes place slowly and steadily over time |
| punctuated equilibrium | long periods of no changes followed by short bursts of sudden change |
| heterotroph hypothesis | a set of ideas which attempt to explain how life started on earth |