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