Evolution

2. the scientist who came up with how modern organisms evolved over time
4. the last shared common ancestor on the branching tree of evolution
6. a trait or novel process that helps an organism survive and reproduce
7. the individuals with the best adaptations to the environment will survive and reproduce more than those individuals with low fitness in an environment
10. a way to figure out which fossil is older based on the layer of rock it was found in
11. Older fossils found in lower layers, and newer ones closer to the surface, all scientists have collected
12. a wide range of observations explained by a well-tested concept
13. the theory that species evolve during short periods of rapid change
14. the idea that older species over time evolved into newer species
15. how well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment

1. organisms with desired traits being chosen to become parents of the next generation
3. the theory that evolution occurs slowly but steadily
5. the genetic material of a cell being changed
8. evidence for a common ancestor in species, usually body parts
9. the process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than other members of the same species