Environmental Change and Trait Distribution

Front

Gene Noun

---

[jeen]

Back

Gene

---

A specific DNA sequence on a chromosome that controls protein production, which in turn affects an organism's traits.

---

Example: This image shows that a gene is a specific section of a long DNA molecule, which is tightly packed inside a chromosome within a cell's nucleus.

Front

Chromosome Noun

---

[kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Chromosome

---

A structure of DNA found in a cell's nucleus that contains genetic information in the form of genes.

---

Example: This image shows that a chromosome is a structure found inside a cell's nucleus and is made of tightly coiled DNA.

Front

Inheritance Noun

---

[in-her-i-tuhns]

Back

Inheritance

---

The biological process by which genetic information and specific traits are passed down from parents to their offspring.

---

Example: This pedigree chart shows how a trait (red color) is passed from parents to their children, demonstrating inheritance across three generations of a family.

Front

Mutation Noun

---

[myoo-tey-shuhn]

Back

Mutation

---

A permanent alteration in a gene's DNA sequence, which can change the protein it produces and result in new traits.

---

Example: A mutation is a change in an organism's DNA, shown here as a broken and altered section of the DNA strand.

Front

Protein Noun

---

[proh-teen]

Back

Protein

---

A large molecule, whose production is controlled by genes, that performs a wide variety of functions within living organisms.

---

Example: This diagram shows that proteins are large molecules made by linking smaller units, called amino acids, together into a complex, folded chain.

Front

Trait Noun

---

[treyt]

Back

Trait

---

A specific, observable characteristic of an individual organism, such as its appearance, development, or behavior, influenced by genes.

---

Example: A gene, which is a segment of DNA, provides the instructions for a specific trait, such as having brown eyes or blonde hair.

Front

Variation Noun

---

[vair-ee-ey-shuhn]

Back

Variation

---

The range of differences in genetic traits that exist among individuals within a particular population or species.

---

Example: These ladybugs are from the same species but show variation in their traits, like having different numbers and sizes of spots on their backs.

Front

Population Noun

---

[pop-yuh-ley-shuhn]

Back

Population

---

A group of organisms of the same species that live together in the same geographical area and can interbreed.

---

Example: A population is a group of the same type of organism living in the same area, like this large colony of penguins.

Front

Distribution Noun

---

[dis-tri-byoo-shuhn]

Back

Distribution

---

The way in which traits are spread out within a population, often shown by how many individuals possess each trait.

---

Example: This graph shows the distribution of height. The peak shows the most common height, while the lower ends show that fewer people are very short or very tall.

Front

Histogram Noun

---

[his-tuh-gram]

Back

Histogram

---

A bar graph representing the frequency distribution of a set of continuous data, such as traits in a population.

---

Example: This histogram uses adjacent bars to show the frequency of student heights within specific ranges, like how many students are between 150-153 cm tall.