Key Vocab - 02.Evolution

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Favorable traits

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Characteristics that provide an advantage in survival and reproduction, increasing an organism’s chances of passing on its genes.

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Genes

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Segments of DNA that contain instructions for building proteins, determining an organism’s traits.

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Mutation

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A change in the DNA sequence of a gene, which can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral, contributing to genetic variation within a population.

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Variation

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The differences in traits among individuals within a population, often resulting from genetic differences and environmental influences.

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Gene pool

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The total collection of genes and their variations (alleles) within a population.

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Offspring

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The young or progeny produced by a parent or parents through reproduction.

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Species

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A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in a natural setting.

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Mating

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The process by which organisms pair and reproduce, leading to the transfer of genetic material to offspring.

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Overproduction

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The production of more offspring than can survive, leading to competition for resources and driving natural selection.

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Adaptation

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A trait that increases an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment, shaped by natural selection.