Module 3

• Ability of an organism to adjust and thrive in a given environment.

  Adaptation
• Structures in different organisms that are similar in function but different in origin.

  Analogous structures
• An increase in similarities among species derived from different ancestors as a result of similar adaptation to similar environment.

  Convergent evolution
• An increase in the difference among descendants of a single ancestral species as time passes.

  Divergent evolution
• Species change over time.

  Evolution
• Ability to survive and produce offsprings.

  Fitness
• Remains of once living things, fossil remains include bones, shells, teeth and also feces.

  Fossils
• A segment of DNA or RNA that codes for protein or RNA, a molecular unit of hereditary trait.

  Gene
• Parts of different organisms that are similar in structure but serve different functions.

  Homologous structures
• The process by which an organism produces offspring and thus perpetuate the species.

  Reproduction
• Differences in traits of organisms in a population.

  Variation