The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

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Variation Noun

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[vair-ee-ey-shuhn]

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Variation

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Slight differences in inherited traits that exist among individual members of the same species.

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Example: Different beetles show variation in color and shape, demonstrating inherited trait differences within a species.

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Inherited Trait Noun

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[in-her-it-ed treyt]

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Inherited Trait

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A specific characteristic or feature of an organism that is passed down from parents to their offspring.

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Example: The image shows how traits like flower color are inherited from parent pea plants to their offspring.

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Mutation Noun

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[myoo-tey-shuhn]

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Mutation

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A permanent change in the sequence of DNA in a gene or a chromosome of an organism.

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Example: UV radiation causes a mutation by forming a thymine dimer in DNA.

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Naturalist Noun

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[nach-er-uh-list]

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Naturalist

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A person who studies the history of nature, especially plants and animals, by observing them in their environment.

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Example: A naturalist observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat to study their behavior.

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Common Ancestor Noun

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[kom-uhn an-ses-ter]

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Common Ancestor

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An ancestral species from which two or more different species have evolved over time.

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Example: The diagram shows how different species evolved from a common ancestor, with lines representing shared ancestry over time.

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Limiting Resource Noun

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[lim-it-ing ree-sohrs]

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Limiting Resource

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An environmental factor, such as food, water, or space, that restricts the size of a population.

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Example: Multiple hands reaching for one loaf of bread shows competition for a limiting resource.

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Competition Noun

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[kom-pi-tish-uhn]

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Competition

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The interaction between organisms or species that both require a resource that is in limited supply.

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Example: Multiple hands reaching for one loaf of bread show competition for limited resources.

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Scientific Theory Noun

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[sahy-uhn-tif-ik thee-uh-ree]

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Scientific Theory

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A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts.

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Example: A scientific theory explains why or how something happens, based on facts and experiments.

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Natural Selection Noun

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[nach-er-uhl si-lek-shuhn]

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Natural Selection

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The process where organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on those traits.

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Example: Different finch beaks show how traits help birds survive by eating specific foods.

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Adaptation Noun

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[ad-ap-tey-shuhn]

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Adaptation

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An inherited trait or characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its specific environment.

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Example: Different finch beaks show adaptations to specific food sources, illustrating evolution by natural selection.