evolution vocab

Question 1

uses the decay of radioactive isotopes to measure the age of the rock.

Answer 1

Radiometric Dating

Question 2

is a method used to determine the age of rocks by comparing them with those in the original isotope to decay

Answer 2

Ralitive Dating

Question 3

is the amount of time it takes for half of the original isotope to decay

Answer 3

Half-Life

Question 4

Are the smallest unit of geologic time lasting several million years

Answer 4

Epoch

Question 5

is a unit of geologic time consisting of two or more periods that lasts hundreds of millions of years

Answer 5

Era

Question 6

are divisions of geologic time lasting tens of millions of years

Answer 6

Period

Question 7

the process of directed breeding to produce offspring with desired traits, referred to as selective breeding

Answer 7

Artificial Selection

Question 8

those less equipped would die

Answer 8

Natural Selection

Question 9

changes in groups of organisms through time

Answer 9

Evolution

Question 10

is the idea that life arises from non-life

Answer 10

Spontaneous Generation

Question 11

anatomically similar structures inherited from a common ancestor

Answer 11

Homologous

Question 12

are structures that are the reduced forms of functional structures in other organisms

Answer 12

Vistigial Structures

Question 13

used for the same purpose and can be superficially similar in constructs inherited from a common ancestor

Answer 13

Analogous Stuctures

Question 14

is the measure of the relative contribution an individual trait makes to the next generation

Answer 14

Fitness

Question 15

a trait shaped by natural selection to increase the survival or reproductive success of an organism

Answer 15

Adaptation

Question 16

each characteristic

Answer 16

Trait

Question 17

is a branching diagram that represents the proposed phylogeny or evolutionary history of a species or group

Answer 17

Cladogram