Evolution and Its Impact on Everyday Life

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to evolution, biodiversity, and the mechanisms of evolution.

Evolution

The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems.

Natural Selection

The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Gene Pool

The set of genes within a population, which can change over time due to evolution.

Mutation

A permanent change in the DNA sequence of a gene.

Speciation

The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with one another and their environment.

Trait

A genetically determined characteristic or feature of an organism.

Adaptive Trait

A trait that increases an organism's chances of surviving and reproducing in a given environment.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.