Adaptions and Mutations

Natural selection

The process where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Camouflage

The ability of an organism to blend into its surroundings to avoid predators.

Environmental pressures:

External factors like predators, climate, or food scarcity that influence survival.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Traits

Characteristics or features of an organism passed from parent to offspring.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Environmental mutagens

Agents like chemicals or radiation that cause mutations.

Whole Chromosome Mutation

Changes involving the structure or number of entire chromosomes.

Gene Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of a specific gene.

Substitution Mutation

Replacing one base in the DNA with another.

Insertion Mutation

Adding one or more bases into the DNA sequence.

Deletion Mutation:

Removing one or more bases from the DNA sequence.

Artificial selection

Human-driven breeding to select for desired traits.

Genetic engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):

Organisms whose DNA has been altered by genetic engineering.

Transgenic organisms:

Organisms that contain genes from another species.

Gene Therapy:qe

A technique to treat or prevent disease by inserting, altering, or removing genes in an individual’s cells.