Adaptations and Evolution Flashcards
Adaptation
a change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.
Dichotomous key
a tool used to identify species of organisms using opposing observable characteristics
Natural selection
organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
Population
all of the members of a species living in a particular area at a particular time
Physiology
the way in which a living organism or bodily part functions
Selective breeding
making deliberate crosses of plants or mating of animals, so the offspring will have the desired characteristic derived from one of the parents
Species
a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
Hibernation
a state of inactivity observed during the winter months
Migration
seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.
Dormancy
the state of having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time (inactive)