The Process of Evolution

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Evolution Noun

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[ev-uh-loo-shun]

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Evolution

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The process by which populations of organisms change over many generations through inherited traits.

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Example: Different bird beaks show how species adapt to available food sources, illustrating evolution.

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Natural Selection Noun

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[nach-er-uhl suh-lek-shun]

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Natural Selection

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The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

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Example: Different finch beaks show adaptation to specific food sources, illustrating natural selection.

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Fitness Noun

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[fit-nuhs]

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Fitness

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An organism's ability to survive and successfully reproduce in its particular environment.

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Example: The image shows beetles with higher fitness producing more offspring, explaining survival and reproduction success.

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Adaptation Noun

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[ad-ap-tey-shun]

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Adaptation

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An inherited trait that increases an organism's chance of surviving and reproducing in its environment.

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Example: Different bird beaks show adaptation to specific food sources, helping survival.

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Variation Noun

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[vair-ee-ey-shun]

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Variation

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The natural differences in traits that exist among individuals within the same species.

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Example: Cross-pollination in pea plants shows variation in offspring traits.

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Mutation Noun

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[myoo-tey-shun]

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Mutation

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Any change in the sequence of an organism's DNA, which can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral.

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Example: UV radiation causes a change in DNA, forming a thymine-thymine dimer, illustrating mutation.

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Allele Noun

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[uh-leel]

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Allele

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One of the different forms or versions of a particular gene that determines a specific trait.

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Example: This image shows different allele combinations on chromosomes, helping students understand genetic variation.

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Gene Noun

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[jeen]

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Gene

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A segment of DNA on a chromosome that provides the instructions for a specific inherited trait.

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Example: The image shows a gene as a part of DNA on a chromosome inside a cell, explaining its role in inherited traits.

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DNA Noun

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[dee-en-ey]

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DNA

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The molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all organisms.

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Example: The image shows the structure of DNA, highlighting base pairs and the sugar-phosphate backbone, which are essential for genetic instructions.

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Coevolution Noun

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[koh-ev-uh-loo-shun]

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Coevolution

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The process by which two or more species evolve in response to changes in each other over time.

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Example: Ants protect aphids for honeydew, showing how both species evolve together over time.