Science Tools
What tool helps identify organisms using choices?
Dichotomous Key
What molecule carries genetic information?
DNA
What is evolution?
Change in a population over time
What is an adaptation?
A trait that helps an organism survive
What is a trait?
A characteristic passed from parents to offspring
What is heredity?
Passing traits from parents to offspring
What is a segment of DNA that codes for a trait?
Gene
What is it called when a species dies out?
Extinction
What is natural selection?
Organisms best suited to their environment survive and reproduce
What do we call the genetic makeup of an organism?
Genotype
What is gene flow?
Movement of genes between populations
What structure holds DNA in the nucleus?
Chromosome
What does it mean if organisms share a common ancestor?
They came from the same original species
What does fitness mean in biology?
Ability to survive and reproduce
What do we call the physical appearance of an organism?
Phenotype
What is genetic drift?
Random changes in a population
What is a three-base code on mRNA called?
Codon
What is variation?
Differences in traits within a population
What is selective breeding?
Humans choosing traits in organisms
What is it called when you have two identical alleles?
Homozygous
What helps scientists study past life?
Fossils (Fossil record)
What tool is used to predict traits in offspring?
Punnett Square
What is it called when a new species forms?
Speciation
What happens to helpful traits over time?
They become more common
What is it called when one allele hides another?
Dominant