Evolution
Different vocabulary terms surrounding Evolution
Vocabulary- all definitions are taken directly from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com
Evolution-The process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/evolution?q=Evolution
Darwinism – The theory of the evolution of species by natural selection advanced by Charles Darwin.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/Darwinism?q=Darwinism
Natural Selection – The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/natural-selection?q=natural+selection
Survival of the fittest– The continued existence of organisms which are best adapted to their environment, with the extinction of others, as a concept in the Darwinian theory of evolution.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/survival#survival__9
Species– A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. The species is the principal natural taxonomic unit, ranking below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/species?q=species
Mutation – The changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form which may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes:mutation is, ultimately, the only way in which new variation enters the species
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mutation?q=mutation
Adaptation– The process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment:living in groups is an adaptation to increase the efficiency of hunting
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/adaptation?q=adaptation
Speciation – The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/speciation?q=speciation
Macro Evolution– Major evolutionary change, especially with regard to the evolution of whole taxonomic groups over long periods of time.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/macroevolution?q=macro-evolution
Micro Evolution– Evolutionary change within a species or small group of organisms, especially over a short period.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/microevolution?q=microevolution
Abiogenesis -The original evolution of life or living organisms from inorganic or inanimate substances:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/abiogenesis?q=abiogenesis