Life Science Chp.7 Changes Over Time
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Created by:
homeschool3000 on January 13, 2011
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27 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 species | A group of similar organisms that are physically similar and can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring. |
| fossil | The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past. |
| adaptation | A behavior or physical characteristic that allows an organism to survive or reproduce in its environment. |
| evolution | The gradual change in species over time. |
| scientific theory | A well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations. |
| natural selection | A process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than other members of the same species. |
| variation | A difference between individuals of the same species. |
| comparative anatomy | The comparison of structures or different organisms. |
| homologous structures | Body parts that are structurally similar in related species. (inherited from a common ancestor.) |
| mold | A type of fossil formed when a shell or other hard part of an organism dissolves, leaving an empty space in the shape of the part. |
| cast | A type of fossil that forms when a mold becomes filled in with minerals that then harden. |
| petrified fossils | A fossil formed when minerals replace all or part of an organism. |
| trace fossils | Fossils that provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms. |
| paleontologist | Scientists who study fossils. |
| gradualism | A hypothesis that proposes evolution occurs slowly but steadily. |
| punctuated equilibria | A hypothesis that states species evolve quickly during relatively short periods of rapid change. |
| habitat | The specific environment that provides the things an organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce. |
| extinct | A previously existing species, in which no members of that species are now living. |
| classification | The process of grouping things based on their similarities. |
| taxonomy | The scientific study of how living things are classified. |
| binomial nomenclature | The system for naming organisms in which each organism is given a unique, two-part scientific name. |
| genus | A classification grouping that consists of a number of similar, closely related species. |
| prokaryotes | Organisms whose cells lack a nucleus. |
| eukaryotes | Organisms with cells that contain nuclei. |
| branching tree diagram | A diagram that shows probable evolutionary relationships among organisms. |
| shared derived characteristic | A characteristic,usually a homologous structure, such as a backbone, that is shared in all organisms in a group. |
| levels of classification | Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species |
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