Scribd
Upload
5 views1 page

Understanding Evolution: Key Concepts

Fossil evidence, anatomical similarities, and DNA evidence support evolution. Evolution occurs through natural selection, where individuals better adapted to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits. Over many generations, this process can result in new species developing as reproductive isolation occurs between populations.

Uploaded by

Stephanie Gardner Nelson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views1 page

Understanding Evolution: Key Concepts

Fossil evidence, anatomical similarities, and DNA evidence support evolution. Evolution occurs through natural selection, where individuals better adapted to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits. Over many generations, this process can result in new species developing as reproductive isolation occurs between populations.

Uploaded by

Stephanie Gardner Nelson
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Evolution Notes

Evolution - ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

What evidence is there for evolution?


1. ________________________ - provides a historical sequence of life. Younger, more recent
fossils tend to look more like today’s organisms. Older fossils generally look very different
from today’s organisms.

2. _________________________ - Many organisms, while they may look different have


similar structures or traits. For example – a person’s arm, a cat’s leg, a whale’s flipper, and a
bat’s wing all have similar bones in a particular order.

3. _________________________ - Animals that are more closely related have more DNA that
is the same than animals that are not closely related.

How does evolution occur?


_______________________________ - the process by which individuals that are better adapted
to their environment survive and reproduce more often. Usually occurs in 4 steps:

1. Overproduction - A species produces more offspring than will survive. For example,
fish can produce thousands of eggs at one time, but not all will survive.

2. Genetic Variation - The individuals in a population are slightly different from one
another due to mutations in the DNA code. Some traits may increase the chance that
an individual will survive; these are called adaptations.

3. Struggle to Survive - The environment does not have enough food, water, and other
resources to provide for all. Many individuals may be killed by other organisms. Only
some will survive to adulthood.

4. Successful Reproduction - Individuals that have better traits to live in their


environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. Those without the best traits
will die early or produce fewer offspring. Organisms unable to adapt may become
extinct.

_________________ - A group of organisms that can mate with one another to produce fertile
offspring.

You might also like