APES Chapter 4

Process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully; also called survival of the fittest

change in a populations genetic makeup through successive generations by means of natural selection

a change in DNA, some harmless, some harmful, some beneficial

a heritable trait that gives an organism an advantage to survive and reproduce in its environment

the process in which two different species, that interact over a long period of time, cause changes in the gene pool of the other

two different species crossbreed and produce offspring that in some cases has a better ability to survive

All the genes, including all the different alleles for each gene, that are present in a population at any one time

an organism's role or way of life within a community or ecosystem

the full potential range of physical, chemical, and biological conditions and resources it COULD use if there was no competition from other species

the actual range of physical, chemical, and biological conditions and resources due to competition with other species

species that have a broad niche; can live in many different areas, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions

species that occupy a narrow niche; live in only one type of habitat, use limited types of food, tolerate a narrow range of climatic and other environmental conditions

two species arise from one; for sexual reproducing organisms this occurs when members of a population can no longer breed and produce fertile offspring

different groups of the same species become physically separated (mountains, rivers etc) for long periods of time; may lead to reproductive isolation and speciation.

mutation and natural selection operate independently in the gene pool of geographically isolated species; over long periods of time the separated populations may become so different that they can no longer produce fertile offspring

an entire species ceases to exist

species found in only one area; typically islands and other unique areas; vulnerable especially in tropical rainforests

catastrophic, widespread events that cause the extinction of a significant number of species; there is evidence of five; many scientists believe we are currently in the sixth.

The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. It includes the concepts of species diversity, ecosystem diversity and genetic diversity.

changing the genetic characteristics of a population through selective breeding

altering an organism's genetic material by adding, deleting, or changing segments of its DNA

altering DNA to contain genes or portions of genes from organisms of different species

the traits that have allowed humans to thrive as a species: precision grips with strong opposable thumbs, ability to walk upright, and complex brains

inorganic compounds in earth's early atmosphere reacted to produce amino acids, simple sugars, and other organic molecules

A community of organisms and their abiotic environment.

Physical area in which an organism lives

the area in which a particular species is found; includes areas populations may migrate to or hibernate in.

A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.