| A | B |
|---|
| evolution | changes that transformed life from its earliest beginnings to modern day diversity |
| natural selection | differential success of reproduction of certain phenotypes |
| evolutionary adaptations | accumulated inherited traits that enhance ability to survive and reproduce |
| natural theology | deriving information of God from studying nature |
| taxonomy | branch of biology that names and classifies forms of life based on characteristics |
| fossils | preserved remnant or impression of and organism |
| sedimentary rocks | rock formed from sand and mud that once settled in layers on the bottom of seas and lakes. Often rich in fossils |
| paleontology | study of fossils |
| gradualism | view of Earth's history that attribute changes to the cumulative product of slow but continuous processes |
| uniformitarianism | Lyell's idea that geologic processes haven't changed throught history |
| descent with modification | all organisms descend from an organism int he past but as organisms became spread out, they developed different traits |
| artificial selection | selective breeding of plants and animals to have offspring produce desired traits |
| biogeography | study of past and present distribution of species |
| homology | similarity in traits resulting from shared ancestry |
| homologous structures | structures in different species that are similar because of common ancestry |
| vestigial organs | structure of little to no importance and use to the organism |
| ontogeny | the development or developmental history of an individual organism. |
| phylogeny | Evolutionary history of a species or groups of related species |
