Natural Selection

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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 species change over many generations through the inheritance of traits that improve survival and reproduction.

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Example: Different beak shapes in finches evolved to adapt to specific food sources, showing natural selection.

Front

Mechanism Noun

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[mek-uh-niz-um]

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Mechanism

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The natural process or system by which a particular biological result or effect is produced in an organism.

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Example: Hormones from the thyroid gland regulate metabolism, showing a biological mechanism in the body.

Front

Artificial Selection Noun

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[ahr-tuh-fish-uhl si-lek-shun]

Back

Artificial Selection

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The process where humans intentionally breed organisms with desired traits to influence the characteristics of the next generation.

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Example: Humans select specific plants to breed, ensuring the next generation has desired traits.

Front

Animal Husbandry Noun

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[an-uh-muhl huhz-buhn-dree]

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Animal Husbandry

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The science of breeding, feeding, and caring for farm animals that have genetic traits desired by humans.

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Example: Cows being fed in a barn, illustrating the care aspect of animal husbandry.

Front

Natural Selection Noun

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

Back

Natural Selection

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

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Example: Different finch beaks show how adaptations help survival in various environments.

Front

Overproduction Noun

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[oh-ver-pruh-duhk-shun]

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Overproduction

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The tendency of a species to produce far more offspring than can possibly survive in a given environment.

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Example: Overproduction is shown as a container overflowing with excess population, indicating more offspring than can survive.

Front

Variation Noun

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[vair-ee-ey-shun]

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Variation

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The natural differences in heritable traits that exist among individuals within a population or species.

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Example: Different beetles show variation in color and shape, illustrating natural differences in traits within a species.

Front

Competition Noun

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[kom-pi-tish-un]

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Competition

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The struggle between organisms to survive as they attempt to use the same limited resources in an ecosystem.

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Example: Different lizard species compete for sunlight and moisture in a forest ecosystem.

Front

Adaptation Noun

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[ad-ap-tey-shun]

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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 beak shapes of finches show adaptation to specific food sources in their environment.

Front

Heredity Noun

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[huh-red-i-tee]

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Heredity

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The biological process of passing physical or mental traits from parents to their offspring through genetic material.

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Example: The image shows how traits are passed from parent pea plants to offspring through cross-pollination.