Download Study Guide Answer Key

Evolution Study Guide

According to the Holt textbook, what factor contributed to the increase in the dark
peppered moths during the 1850’s?
a. Industrialization
c. weather
b. Hunters
d. overcast skies

What is an adaptation? trait that helps an organism survive in its environment

What is Natural Selection? Process by which organisms evolve over time – Nature is
choosing the strongest organisms to survive & reproduce

Who founded the idea of evolution by natural selection? Charles Darwin

What type of rock are fossils normally found in? sedimentary

True or False: Organisms with traits well suited to the environment will survive and
reproduce at a greater rate than other organisms.

True
Study your fossil record sheets & notes!!! Explain how you would determine which fossil is
the oldest or youngest. Fossils found in the lowest layer of sediments are “older” than
a fossil found in a layer above it. (Oldest on bottom – youngest on top)

What is a fossil? Remains or traces of once living organism – original materials have
been replaced with rock -

Which sex chromosomes combine to make a male human? XY

Which combine to make a female? XX

The process by which organisms change over time is known as evolution

The most complete fossil record of evolutionary change is that of the horse

Differences among individuals in a species are called genetic variations

A sudden change in a gene is called mutation

Any remain or trace of a once-living organism is a fossil

A group of organisms that look alike and can reproduce are called a species

Body structures that have no function are called vestigial structure

Body parts that are similar in structure are called homologous structure

Special traits that help organisms survive in their environment are called adaptations

Organisms that are no longer found as living species are extinct

The modern theory of evolution is called the theory of natural selection

List the four steps of the process of natural selection:

Overproduction –

survival of the fittest –

genetic variation –

successful reproduction

Natural selection is also known as survival of the fittest

Insect fossils are often found preserved in amber