Evolution

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What are vestigial structures?

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Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost their original function through evolution. An example is the hind leg bones in whales.

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What are homologous structures?

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Homologous structures are features in different organisms that share a common ancestor but have different functions. An example is the forelimbs of humans and bats.

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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What is an adaptation?

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An adaptation is an inherited trait that gives an organism an advantage in its environment, such as a bird's beak shape for feeding.

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What does fitness mean in evolutionary terms?

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Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What are analogous structures?

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Analogous structures are body parts in different species that have similar functions but do not share a common ancestor, like the wings of birds and insects.

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What is the significance of fossils in evolution?

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Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and show how species have changed over time.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can lead to new traits, which may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral in terms of survival.

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How does competition influence natural selection?

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Competition for resources can lead to natural selection, where only the organisms best suited for the environment survive and reproduce.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing ones, often due to environmental changes or isolation.