Natural Selection and Evolution Vocabulary

Behavior or physical characteristic that allows an organism to survive or reproduce in its environment

• adaptation

• fossil

• species

• vestigial structure

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

This is a diagram that shows how scientists think different groups of organisms are related. It can be referred to as a cladogram or phylogenic tree.

• Fossil

• Variation

• Fossil Record

• Branching Tree

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Gradual change of a species over time

• Heredity

• Evolution

• Natural Selection

• Scientific Theory

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Theory that evolution occurs slowly but steadily

• natural selection

• gradualism

• relative dating

• branching tree

Body parts that are structurally similar in related species ant that provide evidence for a common ancestor.

• petrified fossil

• homologous structure

• variation

• vestigial structure

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Group of organisms that are physically similar and can mate with each other and produce offspring that can also mate and reproduce

• variations

• species

• molds

• casts

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Historical remnants of a structure that was thought to have greater importance in its’ ancestors, but has little importance now

• homologous structures

• petrified fossil

• vestigial structures

• preserved remains

Any difference between individuals of the same species

• adaptations

• evolution

• variations

• homologous structures

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The process where organisms best fit for the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

• natural selection

• adaptation

• hibernation

• selective breeding

• hybridization

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The change over time in populations of related species.

• biological evolution

• transition

• variation

• adaptation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1