Evolution Test Review

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully than those that are less adapted.

Front

What evidence suggests that the opossum and kangaroo are descended from a common ancestor?

Back

The presence of a pouch for incubating their young indicates a shared evolutionary trait, suggesting a common ancestor.

Front

What does variation refer to in the context of genetics?

Back

Variation refers to the genetic differences between organisms of the same species.

Front

What are mutations?

Back

Mutations are mistakes that occur in a DNA sequence when it is copied, leading to changes in the genetic information.

Front

What is a vestigial structure?

Back

A vestigial structure is a body part that has lost its original function through evolution, such as the human appendix.

Front

Define evolution.

Back

Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Front

What is an analogous structure?

Back

Analogous structures are body parts in different species that have similar functions but evolved independently, such as wings of birds and insects.

Front

What is a homologous structure?

Back

Homologous structures are body parts in different species that share a common ancestry, even if their functions differ, like the forelimbs of humans and whales.

Front

What is adaptation in biology?

Back

Adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Front

What is the significance of genetic variation in a population?

Back

Genetic variation is crucial for a population's ability to adapt to changing environments and is a key factor in natural selection.