ch 22 2
Terms
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- natural selection
- differential success in the reproduction of different phenotypes resulting from the interactions of orgs with the environment. evoluntion occurs when this causes changes in relative frequencies in a gene pool
- evoluntionary adaptation
- a prevalence of inherited characteristics that enhance orgs survival and reproduction in specific environments
- evolution
- all the changes that have transformed life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today
- natural theology
- a philosophy dedicated to discovering the Creator's plan by studying nature. adapatation of orgs are viewed as evidence that the creater designed each species for particular purposes
- taxonomy
- the branch of biology concerned with naming and classifying the diverse forms of life
- fossils
- a preserved remnant or impression of an org that lived in the past
- sedimentary rock
- rock formed from sand and mud that settled in layers on bottom of seas, lakes, and marshes. often rich in fossils
- paleontology
- scientific study of fossils
- catastrophism
- hypothesis by Cuvier that each boundary between strata corresponded in time to a catastrophe, such as a flood or drought, that had destroyed many of the species living there at the time
- gradualism
- view of Earth's history that attribute, profound change to the cumalative prouduct of slow but continuous processes
- uniformitarianism
- lyell's idea that geological processes have not changed throughout Earth's history
- descent with modification
- darwin's initial phrase for general process of evolution
- artifical selection
- selective breeding of domesticated plants and animals to encourage occurence of desirable traits
- homology
- similarity in characteristics resulting from a shared ancestory
- homologous structure
- structures in diff species that are similar because of common ancestory
- vestigal organs
- structures of marginal, if any, importance to org... historical remnants of structures with important functions in ancestors
- biogeography
- study of past and prsent distribution of species
- endemic species
- speices that are confined to specific relatively small geographic regions