SPECIES Similar organisms whose members successfully reproduce

The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past. FOSSIL

Change in hereditary features over time. EVOLUTION

A variation that makes an organism better suited to its environment. I'iwi: Hawaiian rainforest bird has a curved beak to access the nectar of several co-evolved species of curve-flowered plants. ADAPTATION

NATURAL SELECTION Individuals with the most favorable traits for a specific environment survive and pass on these traits to their offspring.

VARIATION The appearance of an inherited trait that makes an individual different from members of the same species.

POPULATION Members of one species that live in an area

GRADUALISM Evolution model showing slow change from one species to another new species.

The rapid evolution of a species that comes about by the mutation of a few genes; this produces large changes in body form in a short period of time. PUNCTUATED EQUILIBRIUM

HOMOLOGOUS STRUCTURES Body parts that are similar in origin and structure; gives evidence that two or more species share common ancestors.

VESTIGIAL STRUCTURE Body part that has been reduced in size and doesn’t seem to have a function.

EMBRYOLOGY The study of organisms in their earliest stages.

PRIMATES Mammal group that includes apes and humans; all primates have opposable thumbs, binocular vision, rotating forelimb

HOMINIDS Human like primates that eat both meat and vegetables and walk up-right on two feet

HOMOSAPIENS Species know as “wise human”