Evolution Vocabulary

Question 1

Abiogenesis

Answer 1

Life that comes from no life. Spontaneous generation

Question 2

Biogenesis

Answer 2

Life from life. All life comes from another life.

Question 3

Adaptatioin

Answer 3

An inherited trait that promotes survival and reproduction for a species.

Question 4

Adaptive radiation

Answer 4

Evolution of many diverse species from a single, ancestral species.

Question 5

Convergent evolution

Answer 5

A type of evolution in which unrelated species produce descendants with similar traits.

Question 6

Divergent evolution

Answer 6

A type of evolution in which organisms become less and less similar.

Question 7

Homologous structures

Answer 7

A structure having a common ancestry but with different uses. Same structure, different function.

Question 8

Anologous structures

Answer 8

Structures that have the same function, but different structures.

Question 9

Vistigial organ

Answer 9

A body part that is no longer fully developed or useful.

Question 10

Natural selection

Answer 10

Pressure applied by the environment for individuals with certain traits/adaptions to survive.

Question 11

Gene flow

Answer 11

The movement of a gene in or out of a gene pool.

Question 12

Gene pool

Answer 12

All of the genes available to a population.

Question 13

Gene frequency

Answer 13

How often a certain gene appears in a population.

Question 14

Geographic isoloation

Answer 14

The division or separation of a single breeding population by a physical barrier, such as a mountain range or river.

Question 15

Popluation

Answer 15

All of the members of a species in an area that can reproduce.

Question 16

Reproductive isolation

Answer 16

A barrier to interbreeding caused by varied breeding times or other reasons.

Question 17

Speciation

Answer 17

The formation of a two new species from a common ancestor.

Question 18

Migration

Answer 18

The movement of individuals from one geographic area to another.

Question 19

Charles Darwin

Answer 19

“Father” of the modern accepted theory of evolution.

Question 20

Overpopulation

Answer 20

More individuals than the environment can support.

Question 21

Competition

Answer 21

Two or more individuals trying for the same resource.

Question 22

Survival of the fittest

Answer 22

The adaptation that allows one individual to survive over another.

Question 23

Reproduction

Answer 23

The passing of traits from one individual to an offspring.

Question 24

Embryo

Answer 24

An organism in the early stage of development.

Question 25

J. Ray

Answer 25

Said all species show variations.

Question 26

Thomas Malthus

Answer 26

Said all population continue to grow until the environment can no longer support them.

Question 27

Fossil

Answer 27

An imprint or part of an organism that lived long ago.

Question 28

Jean LMarck

Answer 28

Presented an early theory on evolution. He said acquired characteristics are passed on to offspring.

Question 29

Half-life

Answer 29

The time it takes for one half of a radioactive isotope to break down.

Question 30

Isotope

Answer 30

An atom that has lost or gained a neutron.

Question 31

Punctuated equillibrium

Answer 31

Evolution where there are long terms of stability followed by quick, short periods of change.

Question 32

Sedimentary rock

Answer 32

A type of rock made of compressed layers of sediment.

Question 33

Stabilizing selection

Answer 33

A process that maintains traits that are successful for an organism in its environment.