Biological Evolution & Classification Crossword Puzzle

QUESTIONS LIST:

• adaptation : a particular trait that helps an organism survive in its environment
• analogous : structural difference that perform the same function like different types of wings
• evolution : scientific explanation for the diversity we see in the natural world and how it has changed over time; natural selection is the action mechanism
• homologous : structural similarities between different species like the bones in bird’s wing being similar to the bones in a human’s arm
• domain : the most generalized level of biological classification; includes archaea, bacteria, and eukarya
• species : the most specific level of classification that defines an individual organism
• dna evidence : refers to the common dna patterns that exist between species; the greater the similarities in dna, the more closely related two species will be
• embryology : describes the similarities in the pre-birth development in different species
• non-random mating : organism has preference in mate (specific song, dance, ritual)
• diversity : the differences seen between individuals of the same species and between species themselves
• genetic drift : organisms that survive a chance event and reproduce
• vestigial : structure that has gotten smaller and no longer serves a purpose for the organism
• gene flow : movement or migration of an organism that results in mating of local species
• taxonomy : the study of classification of organisms; enables scientists to use a common system of classifying organisms
• fossil records : displays the variety of organisms that have existed over time, including a change from ancient, simple organisms to more recent, complex organisms
• heterotroph : an organism that must get its energy from consuming other organisms
• natural selection : process by which organisms with a certain set of favorable traits survive and reproduce other individuals with the same set of traits
• kingdom : second highest level of classification; includes animals, plants, fungi, and protists
• autotroph : an organism that creates its own food, usually through photosynthesis
• common ancestry : theory that all organisms descended from a mutual species
• biogeography : geographic distribution of organisms; species living within the same region are more likely to be closely related