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Unit 6
7.11ABC/.12A Dichotomous Keys & Species Adaptations
Term | Definition |
---|---|
DICHOTOMOUS KEY | Tool used to sort organisms by paired similarities or differences based on a series of questions. |
TAXONOMY | Branch of science that formally names and classifies organisms by their structure, function, and relationships. |
SPECIES | Group of organisms with similar characteristics that are able to interbreed or exchange genetic material. |
PHYSIOLOGY | Study of internal and external functions of living systems. |
TRAIT | Characteristic of an organism; can be genetic or acquired. |
POPULATION | Group of interacting individuals of the same species located in the same area. |
ADAPTATION | Process by which a population becomes better suited to its environment by increasing the frequencies of alleles that provide benefits to survival & reproduction. |
VARIATION | Occurrence of an organism, trait, or gene in more than 1 form. |
GENERATION | Organisms of the same species that are at the same level of descent from a common ancestor; a parent is a member of 1, & its offspring are members of the next. |
NATURAL SELECTION | Process in which organisms w/favorable traits produce more successful offspring than organisms w/less favorable traits, causing favorable traits to become more common in the population. |
MIGRATION | Movement to a different geographical region where conditions are more favorable. |
HIBERNATION | Slowed physiological state of an organism to survive long periods of cold temperature or reduced food supplies. |
SELECTIVE BREEDING | Form of artificial selection whereby deliberate breeding results in desired traits in plants or animals. |
INHERITED TRAIT | Characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring. |
ACQUIRED TRAIT | Trait that is not in your genes but is picked up from environmental factors. |
HYBRID | Offspring resulting from the cross of 2 different species or subspecies. |
XYLEM | Vascular tissue that carries water upward from the roots to every part of a plant. |
PHLOEM | Vascular tissue that carries food in plants. |
STRUCTURAL (PHYSICAL) ADAPTATION | Physical feature of an organism's body that has a specific function that contributes to the survival of the organism. |
BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATION | Something an animal does that helps it survive. |
PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION | Internal systematic responses to external stimuli in order to help an organism maintain homeostasis. |
STRUCTURE | The arrangement of parts in an organism. |
EXTERNAL STRUCTURE | Structure that is found on the outside an organism. |
INTERNAL STRUCTURE | Structure that is found on the inside an organism. |
FUNCTION | The special, normal, or proper activity of an organ or structure. |
NICHE | An organism's particular role in an ecosystem. |
ANCESTRY | One's family or background, family descent. |
CAMOUFLAGE | The hiding of something as a result of its appearance. |