Across
- 3. A name used by scientists, especially the taxonomic name of an organism that consists of the genus and species
- 4. method for determining the age of a sample from the amount of a radioactive isotope to the nonradioactive isotope of the same element in a sample
- 5. method of determining the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other rock layers
- 7. classification comprising related organisms that share common characteristics and are capable of interbreeding
- 9. descent–a term within evolutionary biology which refers to the common ancestry of a particular group of organisms.
- 11. the study of the evolutionary history of lineages of organisms
- 13. diagram depicting patterns of shared characteristics among species
- 15. structures that are similar in different species of common ancestry
- 17. preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms
- 18. refers to an individual with characteristics different from the others of the same kind.
- 19. the study of past and present distribution of organisms
- 21. evolutionary branch of a cladogram that includes a single ancestor and all its descendants
- 23. process by which organisms that are most suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest
- 25. refers to the colloquial name of a taxon or species. It is the name known to the general public or is based on any language
- 26. a trait that arose in the most recent common ancestor of a lineage and was passed to its descendants
Down
- 1. distinctive fossil that is used to compare the relative ages of fossils
- 2. classification system in which each species is assigned a two-part scientific name
- 6. structure that is inherited from ancestors but has lost much or all of its original function
- 8. change over time; the process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms
- 10. the branch of biology and medicine concerned with the study of embryos and their development.
- 12. molecules in different organisms that show similarities in their composition (DNA, RNA and proteins)
- 14. selective breeding of plants and animals to promote the occurrence of desirable traits in offspring
- 16. body parts that share a common function, but not structure
- 20. how well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment
- 22. a larger, more inclusive taxonomic category than a kingdom (there are 3-Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya)
- 24. heritable characteristic that increases an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in an environment