Adaptations and Mutations

Natural selection

the process where organisms with helpful traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Adaptation

a trait or behavior that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Camouflage

colors or patterns that help an organism blend into its surroundings to avoid danger or catch prey.

Environmental pressures

factors in the environment

Population

a group of the same species living in the same area.

Traits

characteristics or features of an organism

Mutation

a change in an organism’s DNA.

Environmental mutagens

things in the environment

Whole Chromosome Mutation

a mutation where an organism has extra

Gene Mutation

a change in the DNA sequence of a single gene.

Substitution Mutation

a mutation where one DNA base is replaced by another base.

Insertion Mutation

a mutation where extra DNA bases are added into a gene.

Deletion Mutation

a mutation where part of the DNA is removed or missing.

Artificial selection

the process where humans choose which plants or animals reproduce to get desired traits.

Genetic engineering

the direct changing of an organism’s DNA using science and technology.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

organisms whose DNA has been changed through genetic engineering.

Transgenic organisms

organisms that contain genes from another species.

Gene Therapy

a medical treatment that changes or replaces faulty genes to help treat diseases.

1. Natural selection: Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes to the next ______ of offspring.

generation

Artificial selection: Breeders choose which ______ continue to the next generation of offspring.

organisms

Genetic engineering: Changing the ______ in living organisms. 

DNA

Genetically Modified Organisms: called ______, organisms that have had their DNA altered or modified in some way through genetic engineering.

GMOs

 Transgenic Organisms: Trans: ______ Genic: ______

Change, genes

 Transgenic means that one or more DNA sequences from another species have been introduced into ______ by artificial means.

another species

 Gene therapy: When disease-causing genes are ______ out and a ______ gene is inserted.

Cut, beneficial