Biology chapter 15 Flashcards
(13 cards)
competition among members of a species for food, living space,and other necessities of life
struggle for existence
an inherited characteristic that increases an organism’s chance of survival
adaptation
the principle that all living things were derived from common ancestors
common descent
change in a kind of organism over time; the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms
evolution
ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment
fitness
principle that each living species has descended, with changes, from other species over time
descent with modification
well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations
theory
preserved remains or evidence of an ancient organism
fossil
selection by humans for breeding of useful traits from the natural variation among different organisms
artificial selection
process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully
survival of the fittest
process by which individuals are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest
natural selection
structures that have different mature forms in different organisms but develop from the same embryonic tissues
homologous structure
organ that serves no useful function in an organism
vestigial organ
