Evolution & Natural Selection Flashcards
Evolution
the process by which populations change over time
Mutation
a change in genetic material
Artificial Selection
the practice by which humans select plans or animals for breeding based on desired traits
Adaptation
an inherited trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment
Natural selection
the process by which organisms that inherit advantageous traits tend to reproduce more successfully than other organisms do
Extinction
When all members of a species have died
Variation
slight changes offspring have when compared with their parents.
Overproduction
When a plant or animal reproduces, it usually makes more offspring than the environment can support
Genetic variation
differences in traits that can be passed down from parent to offspring
Selection
individuals with favorable traits are more likely to reproduce and pass the traits onto their offspring
Fossil
the remains of animals, usually just bones
Fossil record
the documentation for all the fossils that have been found on Earth. It includes many extinct species
