1. Evolution

2. Theory
Well supported testable explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world

3. Biosphere
Part of earth in which life exists
EX: Land, water, air

4. Evolution A change over time
Most often used to refer to a change in a species over time
EX: Dinosaurs change into birds

5. Charles Darwin
One of the first scientist to publish his ideas about evolution in The Origin of Species
He developed his theory of evolution from observations he had made during his world travels

6. Charles Darwin (cont.)
Darwin traveled around the world on a ship called the HMS Beagle
He observed a wide variety of organisms, and noted characteristics that occur in similar species of plants and animals

7. Galapagos Island
In five years of traveling on the HMS Beagle, the Galapagos Islands proved to be the most influential on Darwin’s ideas about evolution

8. Galapagos Finches
Although the islands were close together, each island had its own distinct animal and plant populations
EX: Galapagos Finches – They had different beaks suited to the different foods they consumed

9. Natural Selection
States that organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits onto their offspring

10. Survival of the Fittest
Also known as Natural Selection

11. Fitness An organism’s reproductive success
Organisms with greater fitness reproduce and pass on their traits to their offspring

12. Adaptation
The process by which a population becomes better suited to its environment which increases chances of survival
EX: Peppered moth AND giraffes with long necks
More examples: White rabbit in snow, duck web feet for swimming, skunk with smell, porcupine, chameleon to change color

13. Mutation
A change in DNA. This is the only way of introducing a new trait to a species

14. Recombination
Genes are rearranged during meiosis to create unique offspring and the species is more likely to survive a catastrophe, such as a disease
EX: Crossing over

15. Evidence of Evolution

16. Fossil Record
Older remains or fossils always lie beneath the newer remains or fossils
This allows us to determine the age of a fossil in relation to the other fossils

17. Homologous Structure Similar structure BUT different function
Evolve from a common ancestor
EX: Whale fins and human arms

18. Analogous Structure Different structures BUT same function
Share a similar environment
EX: Butterfly wing and bird wing

19. Vestigial Structure Structures in species that serve no function
EX: Leg and hip bones in whales AND appendix in humans

20. Embryology
Study of similarities between organisms during early stages of development
EX: Humans and fish both have gills in early development

21. Artificial Selection Selection by humans for breeding of useful traits
EX: Pure breed dogs AND artificial crops