Ch. 6 Vocab.

A group of organisms that share similar characteristics and can reproduce among themselves to produce fertile offspring

Change in these inherited characteristcs over time

Means that organisms with traits best suited to their enviornment are more likely to survive and reproduce

An inherited trait that makes an individual different from other members of it's species

Is any variation thatr makes an organism better suited to its enviornment

Process by which one species changes to a new species over time

Rapid evolution comes about when th mutation of a few genes results the apperance of a new species over a relatively short period of time

Formed when layers of sand,silt,clay, or mud are compacted an cemented together

Gives off a steady amount of radiation as i6t slowly changes to a non-radioactive element

The study of embryos and their development

Body parts that are similar in origin and structure

Structures that don't seem to have a function

Humans,monkeys, and apes belong to this group of animals

Ate both meat and plants and walked upright on two legs

Evolved about 4000,000 years ago