Evolution- Biology
Evolution ✔✔A change over time. Modern organisms have descended from ancient ones
adaptations ✔✔traits that allow an organism to be best suited for its environment.
variation ✔✔all members of a population have slight differences
Natural selection ✔✔When the environment determines which traits are favorable and likely to
get passed on
Charles Darwin ✔✔The father of evolution. First to publish the idea of natural selection.
Overproduction ✔✔producing more offspring that will survive
Differential reproductive success ✔✔those best adapted to their environment make more
offspring than those not as well adapted.
Homologous structures ✔✔similar structures on different organisms (flipper on whale and
human arm and hand)
vestigial structures ✔✔structures that served a function in ancestors, but have become obsolete
(not necessary anymore)
comparative embryology ✔✔embryos of different species look very similar even though the
adults are very different. Shows common ancestor
Cellular structure ✔✔all living things have similar cell parts and structures. Shows common
ancestor
comparative biochemistry ✔✔organisms have biochemical molecules in common DNA, RNA,
proteins etc. Shows common ancestor
Acquired traits ✔✔Traits that an organism gains over its lifetime. Example: a tattoo
Evolution ✔✔A change over time. Modern organisms have descended from ancient ones
adaptations ✔✔traits that allow an organism to be best suited for its environment.
variation ✔✔all members of a population have slight differences
Natural selection ✔✔When the environment determines which traits are favorable and likely to
get passed on
Charles Darwin ✔✔The father of evolution. First to publish the idea of natural selection.
Overproduction ✔✔producing more offspring that will survive
Differential reproductive success ✔✔those best adapted to their environment make more
offspring than those not as well adapted.
Homologous structures ✔✔similar structures on different organisms (flipper on whale and
human arm and hand)
vestigial structures ✔✔structures that served a function in ancestors, but have become obsolete
(not necessary anymore)
comparative embryology ✔✔embryos of different species look very similar even though the
adults are very different. Shows common ancestor
Cellular structure ✔✔all living things have similar cell parts and structures. Shows common
ancestor
comparative biochemistry ✔✔organisms have biochemical molecules in common DNA, RNA,
proteins etc. Shows common ancestor
Acquired traits ✔✔Traits that an organism gains over its lifetime. Example: a tattoo
