Evolutionary theory

6. The process where different species develop similar traits because they live in similar environments
7. a change in DNA that can lead to new traits (alleles) in a population
8. Fossils that show the intermediate stages between different forms of life
11. Similarities in structure that indicate a common incestry
13. the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more
14. A scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life
15. The process where two or more related species become more different over time, often due to different environments
17. The study of how species are distributed geographically
18. A decrease in genetic variation that occurs when a small group of individuals starts a new population

1. the process of combining different genes during meiosis (sexual reproduction)
2. The process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a wide variety of forms
3. the transfer of genetic material between populations; migration with mating
4. A mechanism of evolution that involves random changes in a population's gene pool
5. The history of life as documented by fossils
9. the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution
10. The idea that different species share a common ancestor
12. a reduction in genetic diversity that occurs when a populations size is greatly reduced, often due to a disaster
16. The process where two or more species influence each other's evolution, often because they interact closely