Key Concepts 1
The _____ that exist in a population determine which _____ can become more common over many generations.
Traits, Traits
Individuals _____ their genes from their parents. Genes, and therefore traits, in a population are passed down from generation to generation.
Inherit
a specific characteristic of an individual organism
Trait
a trait that makes it more likely that an individual will survive in a specific environment
Adaptive Trait
How many kids does Mr. Jake have?
Five
The number of ________ with each trait in a population can change over time.
Individuals
Individuals with _____ traits are more likely to live longer and have offspring; individuals with _____ traits are more likely to die without having offspring.
Adaptive, Non-adaptive
a group of the same type of organism living in the same area
Population
a trait that makes it less likely that an individual will survive in a specific environment
Non-adaptive Trait
Whats Mrs. Sarah's favorite thing to call her students?
Shmoopsy Poo
Biologists analyze data about environmental conditions (the _____) to explain changes in the distribution of traits in populations (the _____).
Causes, Effects
the number of individuals with each trait in a population
Distribution
everything (living and nonliving) that surrounds an organism
Environment
A ________ can be described by the traits present and by the number of individuals who have each trait.
Population
a group of individuals born and living at about the same time
Generation
an idea about what might happen that is based on what you already know
Prediction
_______ are instructions for making protein molecules and protein molecules determine an organism’s traits.
Genes
any difference in traits between individual organisms
Variation
an event or process that leads to a result or change
Cause
Over many generations, individuals with adaptive traits become ______ common in a population, while individuals with non-adaptive traits become _____ common.
More, Less
the process by which the distribution of traits in a population changes over many generations
Natural Selection
a result or change that happens because of an event or process
Effect
Whether or not a trait is adaptive depends on the ___________.
Environment
a type of large molecule that performs important functions inside organisms
Protein Molecule
an instruction for making a protein molecule
Gene