Unit 5: Adaptations vocabulary

Question 1

Adaptation

Answer 1

A change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.

Question 2

Dichotomous key

Answer 2

A tool used to identify species of organisms using opposing observable characteristics.

Question 3

Natural selection

Answer 3

Organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Question 4

Population

Answer 4

All of the members of a species living in a particular area at a particular time.

Question 5

Physiology

Answer 5

The way in which a living organism or bodily part functions.

Question 6

Selective breeding

Answer 6

Making deliberate crosses of plants or mating of animals, so the offspring will have the desired characteristic derived from one of the parents.

Question 7

Species

Answer 7

A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

Question 8

Hibernation

Answer 8

A state of inactivity observed during the winter months.

Question 9

Migration

Answer 9

Seasonal movement of animals from one region to another.

Question 10

Dormancy

Answer 10

The state of having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time (inactive).