morphological homologies
similarities based on shared ancestry (homologies) and they are structural (morphological)
homologous
traits that are similar because of descent from a common ancestor
analogous
traits that are similar because of convergent evolution
amniotic egg
homologous trait shared by reptiles, birds and mammals
molecular clock
time for which two species have been evolutionary separated and the amount of genetic divergence between them
histone genes
encode the proteins around which DNA is wrapped to form chromatin
pax6
encodes a transcription factor that controls eye development in wide range of species
hemoglobin
binds oxygen to red blood cells
vestigial structures
traits that were once useful and functional but are no longer and so tend to be reduced in size or function
appendix
short appendage or blind sac of the gastrointestinal tract
pseudogene
gene that was once functional but is no longer
fossils
remains of once living organisms
nematodes
tiny worms that have no hard skeletons and are not well represented in the fossil record
foraminifera
skeleton forming diatoms
amoebas
unicellular organisms w/o hard parts
trace fossils
fossils of trails
isotope carbon-14 or C14
isotope of carbon
radiometric dating
process of using radioactive decay to date wood and bone
half-life
the time it takes for an amount of a substance to reach half its original amount
invasive species
non-native species that become established in new ecosystems
biogeography
study of the distribution of species on the earth
malaria
single-celled eukaryote and is transmitted by the bite of female anopheles mosquitos
greenhouse gas
gas in earth's atmosphere that helps to warm the planet