1. 17-4 Patterns of Evolution

2. Macroevolution Large-scale evolutionary changes that take place over long periods of time.

3. Adaptive Radiation Process by which a single species or small group of species evolves into several different forms that live in different ways; rapid growth in the diversity of a group of organisms.

4. Convergent Evolution Process by which unrelated organisms independently evolve similarities when adapting to similar environments.

5. Coevolution Process by which two species evolve in response to changes in each other.

6. Punctuated Equilibrium Pattern of evolution in which long stable periods are interrupted by brief periods of more rapid change.

7. Key Concept Six important topics in macroevolution are extinction, adaptive radiation, convergent evolution, coevolution, punctuated equilibrium, and changes in developmental genes