Evolution and Natural Selection

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Microevolution

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Evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, over a short period of time

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Macroevolution

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Evolutionary change on a large scale that takes place over a long period of time

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Divergent evolution

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Process that occurs when a species sharing a common ancestor develops different characteristics over time

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Convergent evolution

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Process by which unrelated organisms independently evolve similarities when adapting to similar environments

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Natural selection

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A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment

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Vestigial structures

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A structure that is present in an organism but no longer serves its original purpose

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Acquired traits

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Skills that you learn to do or develop during your lifetime, not inherited

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Fossil

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The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past

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ecological biogeography

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Study of the current factors affecting the distribution of organisms around the world.

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historical biogeography

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Study of the distribution of organisms around the world over time.