Ch.15 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
About this set
Created by:
Jaclyn11Woddbury on April 30, 2012
Subjects:
Log in to favorite or report as inappropriate.
Order by
13 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Evolution | Change in a kind of organism over time; process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms. |
| Theory | Well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. |
| Fossil | Preserved remains or evidence of an ancient organism. |
| Artificial Selection | Selection by humans for breeding of useful traits from the natural variation among different organisms. |
| Struggle for Existence | Competition among members of a species for food, living space, and the other necessities of life. |
| Fitness | Ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment. |
| Adaptation | Inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival. |
| Survival of the Fittest | Process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called natural selection. |
| Natural Selection | Process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest. |
| Descent with Modication | Principle that each living species has descended, with changes, from other species over time. |
| Common Descent | Principle that all living things were derived from common ancestors. |
| Homologous Structures | Structures that have different mature forms in different organisms but develop from the same embryonic tissues. |
| Vestigial Organ | Organ that serves no useful function in an organism. |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.