Term | Definition |
acquired characteristic | A characteristic developed during an individual's lifetime; it is not passed on to succeeding generations. |
adaptation | A variation in an inherited trait that makes the organism better able to survive in a changing environment. |
amino acids | The basic building blocks of proteins. They contain an amine group and a carboxyl group. |
asexual reproduction | Reproduction involving only one parent by using the process of mitosis. The offspring are genetically identical to the parent
and to each other. |
biocide | A chemical that is used to kill living organisms. |
biotic factors | Living things and their effect on each other. |
chromosome | A structure found in the cell nucleus that is made of DNA and protein. It contains the hereditary information. |
cloning | The production of genetically identical organisms. |
common ancestors | Organisms from which closely related organisms have evolved. |
differentiation | The processes that causes the cells of an organism to develop into specialized tissues and organs. The cells get their different
jobs. |
diversity | A condition in which differences or variety exist, as opposed to uniformity. |
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) | The nucleic acid that stores the hereditary information or genetic material. It is made of repeating units called nucleotides. |
ecosystem | The interaction of living things and their nonliving environment. |
egg cell | The female monoploid (n) gamete or sex cell. This cell contains half the normal amount of DNA, with single chromosomes,
not pairs. |
embryo | An organism in the early stages of development |
environment | All the living and nonliving things that surround a living thing. |
extinction | The destruction of all members of a particular species. |
fossil | The remains or traces of an organism that lived long ago. |
gametes | Monoploid sex cells produced in gonads by meiotic cell division; sperm and egg. |
gene frequency | The percentage of individuals in a population carrying a particular gene. |
genetics | The study of DNA and how the hereditary information is transmitted from one generation to the next. |
geographic isolation | The separation of a population by a natural barrier that prevents them from interbreeding. This eventually results in the
development of new species |
habitat | The portion of the environment in which an organism exists. |
homologous structures | Structures that have the same basic arrangement and evolutionary origin, although not necessarily the same function. |
mammals | Animals with hair on their bodies who give birth to living young; the young are nourished on milk from female mammary
glands. |
meiosis, meiotic cell division | Cell division that produced gametes (sex cells, eggs and sperm). Produces cells with half the normal amount of DNA for that species and the cells are all unique. |
migration | The movement of animals from one region or community to another. |
mitosis, mitotic cell division | Cell division that produces two identical cells each with the normal (2n) number of chromosomes. |
mutation | A change in the genetic material |
natural selection | Darwin's evolutionary theory that states that there are variations in organisms that will make some organisms better fitted for
survival than others. |
niche | An organism's particular role in the community. |
nucleus | A large, membrane-enclosed organelle that contains the chromosomes; the control center of the cell. |
offspring | The result of the reproduction of organisms |
organism | An individual living thing |
selective breeding | The manipulation of reproductive processes to produce offspring with specialized traits; choosing mates or crossing traits to
produce offspring that have desired traits |
sexual reproduction | A form of reproduction in which two gametes fuse to form a new individual |
species | A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring |
succession | The replacement of one type of community by another until the stable climax community is reached, which remains in place
until it is destroyed by some catastrophe. |
toxic | Poisonous. |
trait | A characteristic of an organism |
variation | |
Evolution | |
heritability | |
resistance | |
artificial selection | The manipulation of reproductive processes to produce offspring with specialized traits; choosing mates or crossing traits to
produce offspring that have desired traits |
population | |
competition | |
offspring | |
recombination of genes | |
competition | |