Science Vocab Terms New Flashcards
Physical feature of an organism (determined by genes). Can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on environment.
Example: Brown coat on bears
Characteristic/Trait
Random change in DNA
Example: ATC → GTC, can be just one nitrogen base
-Some can be good others can be bad…
Mutation
Change in the inherited characteristics of a species over time
Example: Brown fur color to white fur color in polar bears
Evolution
The process by which traits that are beneficial to an organism’s survival in its environment are passed down to future generations (and those that are not decline in a population).
Natural Selection
A trait or characteristic of an organism that makes it better able to live or survive in a particular place or environment.
Example: White fur color in polar bears
Adaptation
a difference in a characteristic or trait, from one organism in a species to another organism in the species
Example: Different color coats of bears
Variation
Describes the survival of organisms that are best suited to the environment and able to reproduce to create offspring with their traits.
Survival of the fittest
Number of characteristics within a species or ecosystem.
Genetic Diversity
The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
Environment
A single species which two or more species come from.
Example: Dinosaurs–All birds
Common Ancestor
Change in global climate patterns due to a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Climate Change
The disappearance of a species.
Example: Woolly Mammoth
Extinct
Species that are at risk for becoming endangered because of human activities.
Example: Canadian Lynx
Threatened
Species at risk of extinction.
Example: Indian Elephant
Endangered
The natural changes that take place within an ecosystem (sometimes after a disaster)
Example: soil → bushes → young forest → mature forest
Ecological Succession
