Evolution Crossword

3. The process by which humans breed plants and animals for desired traits.
5. The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
11. Naturalist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
13. The process by which species change over time through genetic variation and natural selection.
15. Body parts in different species that perform the same function but do not share a common evolutionary origin.
16. Diagram showing relationships among species based on shared derived characteristics, without indicating time of divergence.
18. Diagram representing evolutionary relationships and timing of divergences among species, often based on genetic data.
20. The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems across geographical space and time.
21. The theory that evolutionary change occurs slowly and steadily over long periods of time.

1. The evolutionary history and relationships among species.
2. A trait that improves an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.
4. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.
6. Theory that species experience long periods of little change, interrupted by short periods of rapid evolution.
7. The most recent species from which two or more species have evolved.
8. Body parts in different species that have similar structures but different functions, indicating a common ancestor.
9. One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
10. The total genetic diversity found within a population or species.
12. Mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
14. A change in the DNA sequence that can lead to genetic variation.
17. Random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population over time.
19. The preserved remains or impressions of ancient organisms.