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Genes & DNA
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Protein | a type of molecule that makes up much of an organism’s structure and helps it function |
| Chromosomes | a cell structure that contains an organism’s DNA |
| DNA | a type of molecule that carries the inherited information passed from parents to offspring |
| Gene | a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a product, usually a protein |
| Allele | a specific version or form of a gene |
| Mutation | a random change to an organism’s DNA |
| Trait | a characteristic of an organism (colors, shapes, size, patterns) |
| Genetic Variation | differences in the inherited traits (colors, shapes, patterns) of different individuals |
| Adaptations | to evolve a trait, through natural selection, that makes a population well suited to surviving and reproducing in its environment |
| Species | a group of organisms that share traits and can breed successfully with one another but not with other groups |