Evolution Vocabulary

A species slowly changes over time

• Evolution

• Adaptation

• Variation

• Fitness

Answer explanation

A species evolves, not an individual

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Organisms that are best suited for their environment will survive longer and reproduce. They will pass on their traits.

• Fitness

• Natural Selection

• Adaptation

• Variation

Answer explanation

Natural selection needs variation in order to work.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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A shared relative between 2 different species

• Grandparents

• Evolution

• Common ancestor

• Generation changes

Answer explanation

A common ancestor is a shared ancestor for different species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

When two organisms have body parts that have the same function, but are not arranged the same way

• Homologous structure

• Vestigial structure

• Analogous structure

Answer explanation

An analogous structure is NOT evidence of a common ancestor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

When two organisms have body parts that are arranged in similar ways. They also might have similar functions.

• Homologous structure

• Vestigial structure

• Analogous structure

Answer explanation

A homologous structure IS evidence of a common ancestor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A body part that has no function, but may have been useful for the organism's ancestors

• Homologous structure

• Vestigial structure

• Analogous structure

Answer explanation

A vestigial structure IS evidence of a common ancestor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Darwin referred to this as survival of the fittest. Over time, it results in changes in the inherited characteristics of a population. 

• Natural Selection

• Genetic Variation

• Survival of the Fittest

• Extinction

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A mistake or change that occurs in the DNA sequence is called a ______________________.

• Extinction

• Speciation

• Mutation

• Genetic Variation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

When there is a difference in population based on genes, it is said to be a _______________.

• Mutation

• Speciation

• Extinction

• Genetic Variation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Scientist who proposed the theory of Natural Selection.

• Hardy

• Weinburg

• Darwin

• Einstein

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4