Evolution Vocabulary

Vocabulary definitions for Unit 10 test

14 cards·by jcmcgree@yahoo.com

unit 10evolution

Evolution

Change in the genetic variation of a population over time.

Genetic variation

Different genetic traits, within a population, due to changes in the DNA.

Adaptation

A genetic trait that either helps or hurts an animal's fitness

Fitness

How well an animal is selected for or against.

Natural selection

Nature selects the most fit individuals to survive and reproduce.

Artificial selection

Humans select the individuals who will survive and reproduce. Whatever "FITS" the human need.

Analogous structures

Different structures from different ancestral DNA that are pushed to look similar by the environment.

Convergent evolution

Genetic variation change that makes the population look more alike.

Homologous structures

Similar structures in different populations that look similar because they come from the same ancestral DNA.

Divergent evolution

Genetic variation change that makes populations look more different.

Vestigial structure

Any structure, produced by the DNA, that no longer functions.

Coevolution

Populations that influence each other to change their genetic variation.

Phylogeny

Evolutionary relationships between different populations. "Sharing a common ancestor."

Cladogram

Map of phylogeny