a living component of an ecosystem

is any factor, abiotic or biotic, that influences living organisms

a non-living part of an ecosystem that shapes its environment

group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and produce fertile offspring

a trait can be passed on through genetics

a number of all the organisms of the same group or species who live in a particular geographical area and are capable of interbreeding

Group of genetically related organisms constituting a single step in the line of descent; living at the same time or of approximately the same age

biological mechanism by which organisms adjust to new environments or to changes in their current environment

the process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change

ability to survive, reproduce and pass its genes on to its offspring

shows how recently two species shared a common ancestor.

The collection of fossils and their placement in chronological order (e.g., through the location of the sedimentary layers in which they are found or through radioactive dating).

the dying out or extermination of a species