Natural Selection

mutations

Change in an organism that occurs when DNA is damaged or changed.

offspring

Children or young that are the results of parents who reproduce.

survival

the ability to stay alive

variety/ variation

The act of being different. A number or collection of different things.

natural selection

The process by which organisms best adapted to their environment survive & reproduce to pass on favorable traits to their offspring.

traits

A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes.

adaptation

A characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its natural environment.

genes

A segment of DNA that carries the genetic information that controls traits.

selective breeding

Intentional mating of two animals to produce offspring with desirable characteristics or for the elimination of a trait.

competition

Occurs when more than one individual or population tries to make use of the same resource.

survival of the fittest

Organisms that are best adapted to their environment have a better chance of surviving and reproducing to pass on their genes.