3b - Natural Selection and Evolution

Adaptations

适应 (shìyìng) / 适应性特征 (shìyìng xìng tèzhēng) Inherited characteristics (structural, physiological, or behavioral) that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in its specific environment.

Antibiotic resistance

抗生素耐药性 (kàngshēngsù nàiyàoxìng) The ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to withstand the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. This evolves through natural selection.

Charles Darwin

查尔斯·达尔文 (Chá'ěrsī Dáwén) (1809-1882) An English naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection, based on observations of variation, inheritance, and survival of the fittest.

Competition

竞争 (jìngzhēng) The struggle between organisms for limited resources (such as food, water, mates, light, space) which are essential for survival and reproduction.

Evolution

进化 (jìnhuà) / 演化 (yǎnhuà) The gradual process of change in the inherited characteristics (genetic makeup) of biological populations over successive generations. Can lead to the formation of new species.

Fitness

适应度 (生物学) (shìyìngdù (shēngwùxué)) A measure of an organism's reproductive success in a particular environment; the ability to survive, find a mate, and produce viable offspring that also reproduce.

Fossil Record

化石记录 (huàshí jìlù) The collection of fossils that have been found throughout the world, providing evidence of past life forms and the history of evolution on Earth.

Natural selection

自然选择 (zìrán xuǎnzé) The process by which individuals with inherited traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to their offspring. A key mechanism of evolution.

Penicillin

青霉素 (qīngméisù) / 盘尼西林 (pánníxīlín) An early antibiotic drug, discovered by Alexander Fleming, produced by the Penicillium mould. Its use led to observations of antibiotic resistance developing in bacteria.

Selective Pressure

选择压力 (xuǎnzé yālì) Environmental factors (e.g., predators, climate, disease, resource availability) that influence which individuals in a population are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus driving natural selection.

Species

物种 (wùzhǒng) A group of similar organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Survival of the Fittest

适者生存 (shìzhě shēngcún) A phrase often used to describe natural selection, meaning that organisms best adapted (fittest) to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genes.

Variation (Genetic variation)

（遗传）变异 ((yíchuán) biànyì) Differences in characteristics (traits) between individuals of the same species, caused by genetic factors (e.g., mutations, sexual reproduction) and sometimes environmental influences. Essential for natural selection.

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌 (nài jiǎyǎng xīlín jīn huángsè pútáojūnjūn) A strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that has evolved resistance to methicillin and other related antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. A key example of natural selection in action.