| Term | Definition |
|---|
| evolution | Genetically based changes in the appearance, function and or behavior of organisms through successive generations. |
| DNA | The genetic material that serves as a "recipe" for materials, cells, organisms |
| genes | Regions along a strand of DNA which serve as recipes for the synthesis of products. |
| mutation | Any change in the DNA of an individual, which most commonly arise from mistakes made during the replication of DNA. |
| mutagen | A chemical or form of radiation that can cause a mutation. E.g. mercury or UV radiation. |
| heritable | A mutation or trait that occurs within a sex cell, which can be passed to offspring and spread into a population |
| natural selection | Survival of the fittest. Organisms that are best suited for their particular lifestyle will be more likely to produce more offspring. Mechanism behind Charles Darwin's theory. |
| biological | Type of extinction where a species is no longer found anywhere on earth |
| local | Type of extinction which occurs when a species is no longer around in an area that it once inhabited, but can still be found in other areas |
| ecological | Type of extinction when there are so few members of a species left that it can no longer play its "role" in an ecosystem where it is found. |
| mass | Type of extinction where there is a significant rise in the number of species extinctions above the background extinction rate. We are in the 6th one. |
| background | Type of extinction referring to the number of species that will go biologically extinct naturally |
| endangered | Classification of a species that could soon become extinct over all. |
| threatened/vulnerable | Classification of a species that is likely to become endangered in the near future. |
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