Chapter 1 Vocabulary

All organisms and the part of Earth where they exist.

• biodiversity

• ecosystem

• biosphere

• community

Changing, organized group of related parts.

• system

• ecosystem

• circuit

• structure

Molecule that stores genetic information in all organisms.

• cell

• RNA

• atom

• DNA

Basic unit of life

• cell

• atom

Variety of life within an area

• biosphere

• biodiversity

• variation

• species

Any individual living thing

• organism

• individual

• species

• living

Change in a species over time, process of change by which offspring differ from ancestors.

• evolution

• gradualism

• ecological change

• shifting

Experimental data collected through observation and measurement.

• independent variable

• dependent variable

Inherited trait that's selected for and allows an organism to better survive in its environment.

• evolution

• natural selection

• adaptation

• artificial selection

Groups of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring.

• descendents

• species

• ancestors

• transgenic organisms