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23 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Species
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a group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring
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fossil
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the preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past
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adaptation
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a trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment
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scientific theory
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a well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations
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natural selection
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individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than other members of a species
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variation
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a difference between individuals of the same species
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comparative anatomy
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the comparison of the structures of different organisms
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homologous structures
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similar structures that related species that have inherited from a common ancestor
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mold
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a hollow area in the shape of an organism or part of an organism
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cast
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a solid copy of the shape of an organism
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petrified fossils
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fossils in which minerals replace all or part of an organism
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trace fossils
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fossils that provide evidence of activities of ancient organisms
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paleontologist
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scientists who study fossils
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erosion
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to wear away
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gradualism
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the policy of gradual reform rather than sudden change or revolution
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puctuated equilibria
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theory that species evolve during short periods of rapid evolution
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classification
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the process of grouping things based on their similarities
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taxonomy
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the scientific study of living things
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binomial nomenclature
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a two- part scientific name based on Linnaes' observation
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genus
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classification grouping that contains similar, closely related organisms; and the first word in an organisms' scientific name
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habitat
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the specific environment that provides the things that an organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce
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extinct
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no members of a species are still alive
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continental drift
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Pangaea gradually split apart in this process
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