a character or structure that helps an organism live and reproduce successfully in its environment
habitat
The area or place where an organism naturally lives in an ecosystem
diversity
the variety of life
species
the basic unit of classification, the division of a genus, made of very similar organiisms that are able to mate and reproduce offspring of the same type
variation
a difference within the species
sexual reproduction
Reproduction through the union of a male and a female gamete, each contributing genetic material to the offspring
zygote
A cell formed by the union of two sets of genes when a male and a female unite; a fertilizied egg
asexual reproduction
Reproduction in which a single individual copies its genetic material
Evolution
The concept originated by Charles Darwin, explaining that organisms are the products of historical change and that new species gradually developed from previous ones
natural selection
The process by which organisms that are adapted to their environment survive and reproduce, passing there traits on to their offspring
population
A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area
fossil
Remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past
extinct
Referring to forms of life that have died out
fossil record
Record of life on earth provided by fossils
mold
A fossil impression left in rock by the hard parts of an organism
cast
A fossil formed by minerals in water that build up in a mold
CADD 2 Honors
