Natural and Artificial Selection

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What is Natural Selection?

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The process in which organisms are chosen by environmental pressures such as climate, available food, predators, and habitat.

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What is Artificial Selection?

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The process in which genes are chosen by humans, such as farmers and ranchers, to produce desired traits in organisms.

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What are environmental pressures?

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Factors in the environment that influence the survival and reproduction of organisms, such as climate, food availability, and predators.

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What is genetic variation?

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Differences in DNA among individuals in a population, which can lead to different traits.

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What is a mutation?

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A change in the DNA sequence of an organism that can lead to new traits.

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How can mutations affect a population?

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Mutations can introduce new traits that may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral, affecting survival and reproduction.

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What is the role of predators in natural selection?

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Predators can create pressure on prey populations, leading to the survival of the fittest individuals.

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What is the significance of adaptation?

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Adaptation is the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment, enhancing survival and reproduction.

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What is a dichotomous key?

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A tool used in science to classify and identify organisms based on a series of choices that lead to the correct name.

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What is extinction?

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The permanent loss of a species when the last individual dies.