Natural Selection and Change Over Time

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Evolution Noun

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[ev-uh-loo-shun]

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Evolution

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The process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms through inherited changes over many generations.

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Example: Different beak shapes of Darwin's finches show adaptation through natural selection.

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Naturalist Noun

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[nach-er-uh-list]

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Naturalist

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A person who observes and studies the natural world, including organisms and their environments, to understand natural history.

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Example: Naturalists observing plants and taking notes in a forest to study the natural world.

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Species Noun

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[spee-sheez]

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Species

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A group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring that can also reproduce.

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Example: Different species like penguin, tiger, and butterfly are shown with their scientific names, illustrating the concept of species.

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DNA Noun

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[dee-en-ey]

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DNA

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The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms.

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Example: The image shows the DNA double helix structure with labeled base pairs and backbone, explaining how DNA carries genetic instructions.

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Invertebrates Noun

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[in-vur-tuh-brits]

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Invertebrates

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Animals that do not possess or develop a vertebral column, also known as a backbone, during their lifecycle.

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Example: This image shows various invertebrates, illustrating animals without backbones.

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Hypothesis Noun

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[hy-poth-uh-sis]

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Hypothesis

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A proposed explanation for a phenomenon made as a starting point for further investigation through study and experimentation.

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Example: A hypothesis is tested by adding fertilizer to plants to see if it increases their size.

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Scientific Theory Noun

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[sy-en-tif-ik thee-uh-ree]

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Scientific Theory

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A well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations and experimental results, confirmed repeatedly through scientific methods.

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Example: A scientific theory explains observations using experiments and facts, like evolution or relativity.

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Natural Selection Noun

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[nach-er-uhl suh-lek-shun]

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Natural Selection

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The process where individuals better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on traits.

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Example: Different beak shapes of finches show how they adapt to eat specific foods, illustrating natural selection.

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Mechanism Noun

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[mek-uh-niz-um]

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Mechanism

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The natural process, system, or series of steps by which a particular task is accomplished or an effect is produced.

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Example: The image shows how gears, a battery, and other parts work together to make a clock function.

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Hereditary Adjective

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[huh-red-i-ter-ee]

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Hereditary

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Relating to a characteristic that is genetically transmitted from parents to their offspring through genes.

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Example: The image shows how flower color is passed from parent pea plants to offspring through genes.