______________________ the permanent change in an organisms’ DNA, usually due to exposure radiation, viruses or toxins.

• Mutation

• Adaptation

• Evolution

• Recombination

______________________ a species that eats prey killed by other animals.

• Scavenger

• Predator

• Herbivore

• Omnivore

______________________ the introduction of new genes into a population due to immigration.

• Gene Flow (Migration)

• Genetic Drift

• Natural Selection

• Mutation

______________________ the role or function of a species in an environment.

• Niche

• Habitat

• Ecosystem

• Community

______________________ the formation of an ecosystem in an area in which there is no soil or where the soil is incapable of sustaining life (because of recent lava flows, newly formed sand dunes, or rocks left from a retreating glacier).

• Primary Succession

• Secondary Succession

• Tertiary Succession

• Climax Community

______________________ a species that has an extremely high impact on its ecosystem by balancing the food chain, and providing niches and habitats to other species.

• Keystone Species

• Dominant Species

• Invasive Species

• Endangered Species

______________________ return nutrients to the soil by breaking down dead material.

• Decomposer

• Producer

• Consumer

• Scavenger

______________________ the shift of genetic traits in a population toward the characteristics most suited for the environment.

• Genetic Drift

• Natural Selection

• Gene Flow

• Mutation

______________________ all of the species living in an area.

• Community

• Population

• Ecosystem

• Habitat

______________________ small, fast growing species that are the first to colonize an area.

• Pioneer Species

• Climax Species

• Invasive Species

• Endangered Species