1
the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic (dee AHK sih ri boh noo klee ihk) acid, an organism's genetic material.
DNA
a molecule made of a nitrogen base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.
nucleotide
the process of copying a DNA molecule to make another DNA molecule.
replication
ribonucleic acid, a type of nucleic acid that carries the code for making proteins from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
RNA
the process of making mRNA from DNA.
transcription
the process of making a protein from RNA.
translation
a permanent change in the sequence of DNA, or the nucleotides, in a gene or a chromosome.
mutation
a slight difference in an inherited trait among individual members of a species.
variation
the process by which organisms with variations that help them survive in their environment live longer, compete better, and reproduce more than those that do not have the variations.
natural selection
an inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance of surviving and reproducing in a particular environment.
adaptation
an adaptation that enables a species to blend in with its environment.
camouflage
an adaptation in which one species looks like another species.
mimicry
the selection and breeding of organisms for desired traits.
selective breeding
the biological and chemical methods that change the arrangement of DNA that makes up a gene.
genetic engineering