Evolution
The gradual change or development of something
Biological evolution
The change in the gene pool of a population during the course of time by such processes as mutation, natural selection and genetic drift
Micro-evolution
Evolution within a species
Macro-evolution
The decent of different species from a common ancestor over many generations
Extinction
No living organisms left of that species
Functional extinction
Not enough individuals left of that species to reproduce
Vestigial organs
Structures or organs that seem to be stunted and have no function
Natural Selection
A process by which individuals that are best adapted to environmental conditions will survive and as a result produce the most offspring
What can be seen in the fossil records
Increase in complexity
Increase in diversity
More extinct species
Existence of transitional fossils
Overall Increase in size
Cambrian explosion
A rapid diversification over a relatively short period, led to the appearance of a huge diversity of complex, multi-celled organisms
Genetically, we can see that all organisms have descended from a common ancestor because?
All organisms have DNA and RNA
There are many genes in all living organisms that are encoded to make identical proteins
Homologous structures
Structures that are similar in structure, position, and development
Analogous structures
Structures that are similar in different organisms because they evolved in a similar environment
