Genetic Basis of Adaptation: Key Biology Terms & Definitions

adaptation

inherited characteristic that increases an organism's chance of survival

rock pocket mouse

Another example of natural selection: in New Mexico, volcanic activity has left some parts of the sandy ground scorched into black rock, and darker-colored mice blend in better to the color of the rock, making them less conspicuous to predators, and giving a rise in the number of dark-colored mice in the population.

Allele

Different forms of a gene (e.g. light fur color and dark fur color)

allelic frequency

the percentage of any specific allele in the gene pool

gene pool

Combined genetic information of all the members of a particular population

genetic diversity

the variety of genes within a given species

Evolution

The gradual change in a species/population over time

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait