Evolution Vocabulary Unit 8

1. Charles Darwin- The man who voyaged to the Galapagos 1. Charles Darwin- The man who voyaged to the Galapagos and developed the idea of natural selection, which contributes to evolution.

2. Speciation- The emergence of a new species due. to natural 2. Speciation- The emergence of a new species due to natural selection.

3. Co-Evolution- Occurs when two or more populations evolve 3. Co-Evolution- Occurs when two or more populations evolve at the same time.

4. Streptococcus- Genus of bacteria; commonly. known for 4. Streptococcus- Genus of bacteria; commonly known for causing strep throat.

5. Evolution- The change in a species as a whole over time.

6. Natural Selection- “Survival of the fittest” organisms that are 6. Natural Selection- “Survival of the fittest” organisms that are best suited for survival are the ones that successfully reproduce and pass on beneficial characteristics.

7. Vestigial Structure- A structure that may have once had a 7. Vestigial Structure- A structure that may have once had a function in a species but has evolved to be useless over time (appendix, whale’s hip bone)

8. Convergent Evolution- Occurs when different. species develop 8. Convergent Evolution- Occurs when different species develop similar traits for similar functions (fish, dolphin, penguin)

9. Divergent Evolution- Occurs when two species evolve to be more and more different over time.

10. Homologous Structure- Structures that originate from the 10. Homologous Structure- Structures that originate from the same type of tissue but may be used differently in different organisms.

11. Cladogram- A diagram beginning with an outgroup organism, shows relationships based on shared derived traits.

12. Active Immunity- An organism’s defense against invading 12. Active Immunity- An organism’s defense against invading pathogens due to production of antibodies (ex.: vaccines)

13. Protist- Eukaryotic organism (often single-celled); classified as 13. Protist- Eukaryotic organism (often single-celled); classified as plant-like, animal-like or fungus-like.

14. Passive Immunity- An organism’s defense against invading 14. Passive Immunity- An organism’s defense against invading pathogens due to the transfer of antibodies (ex.: baby receiving breast milk)

15. Classification- System of placing organisms in groups based on similarities. Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

16. Dichotomous Key- A multi-step tool used to. identify a 16. Dichotomous Key- A multi-step tool used to identify a species based on physical characteristics it may possess.

17. Bacteria- Prokaryotic, single-celled organisms, often aid in 17. Bacteria- Prokaryotic, single-celled organisms, often aid in decomposition and digestion or cause harmful infections.

18. Phylogenic Tree- A diagram beginning with a. common 18. Phylogenic Tree- A diagram beginning with a common ancestor; shows evolutionary history of a species

19. Virus- Non-living pathogen that causes many. harmful 19. Virus- Non-living pathogen that causes many harmful conditions; (Vaccines protect against them, but once you’ve caught it, it is in your body forever!) Example: Common cold, flu, AIDS, Small Pox

20. Binomial Nomenclature- The system of naming organisms 20. Binomial Nomenclature- The system of naming organisms based on their scientific genus and species.