Natural Selection Vocab Flashcards
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid
Nucleotide
in a nucleic-acid chain, a sub unit that consists of sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base
Chargaff’s Rules
DNA from any cell of all organisms should have a 1:1 ratio of pyrimidine and purine bases
Watson and Crick
worked together on studying the structure of DNA
Rosalind Franklin
made contributions to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA
Mutations
a change in the nucleotide-base sequence of a gene or DNA molecule
Adaptation
a characteristic that improves an individuals ability to survive and reproduce in particular environment
Species
a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding
Evolution
the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth
Fossils
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock
Fossil Record
the placement of fossils throughout the surface layers of the Earth
Charles Darwin
English naturalist whose scientific theory of evolution by natural selection became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies
Trait
a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person
Selective Breeding
the human practice of breeding animals or plants that have certain desired charactristics
Natural Selection
the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring
