Question | Answer |
Define evolution and give an example | the ability of an organism/ population to gradually change over time. Allows and organism to survive. Horses are an organism that has evolved over time |
Explain what a species is | a group of organisms that are closely related; can mate and produce fertile offspring. |
Animals and plants adapt to their environment. What is adaptation? | characteristic that helps an organism survive. Can be both physical and behavioral. |
What is the best evidence of evolution on Earth? | fossils |
Define fossil | remains or imprints of once living organisms that are preserved ; mostly in layers of rock |
How can scientists develop a fossil timeline? | by comparing the fossils that are found deeper down - the older ones to the ones found closer to the surface |
List three forms of evidence that evolution does exist | fossils, comparing bone structures, comparing DNA |
How can scientists compare skeletal structures to determine species common ancestry? | they compare the bone similiarities |
How can scientists compare DNA for common ancestry? | by comparing current DNA with past DNA to check for similarities |
Who is the father of evolution? | Charles Darwin |
What ship did Darwin sail on his voyage? | HMS Beagle |
What islands did Darwin draw major conclusions on evolution? | the Galapagos islands |
What type of bird did Darwin examine and compare? | finches |
What major characteristic did Darwin compare with the birds? | the shapes of their beaks |
Define a trait | an inherited characteristic |
Explain selective breeding | human practice of breeding animals or plants to have certain desired traits |
Give an example of selective breeding a good trait into the offspring. | Breeding to get things like good fertility, speed, larger produce, etc |
Give an example of selective breeding a bad trait out of the offspring | you don't have animals or plants reproduce so that undesired trait will die out |
Explain natural selection. Give an example | individuals that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully "survival of the fittest" - Deer that are slower will more likely be caught by predators that faster running deer. |
Natural selection changes populations. Give an example of a change that helps an animal from being hunted? | Some animals have adapted coloration strategies so they blend in with their background and aren't easily seen by predators - "camouflage" |
Give an example of a change that animals become resistant to a chemical in their environment. | Insects become resistant to pesticides meant to kill them |
What is speciation? | formation of a new species as a result of evolution |
In forming a new species what is separation? | when part of the population becomes separated from the rest |
In forming a new species what is adaptation? | if environmental conditions for like groups that were seperated differ, the adaptation swill differ - causing them to evolve with a different set of traits |
In forming a new species what is division? | two separated groups - over time - may become very different. Then, even if the geographical barrier is removed, the groups may not be able to interbreed anymore. |
What is sediment? | |