Evolution: Key Terms

Question 1

What is evolution?

Answer 1

Process of changing over time. (successive changes in a populations characteristics occurring over successive generations)

Question 2

What is adaptation?

Answer 2

Structure, physiology, or behaviour that helps an organism survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

Question 3

What is variation?

Answer 3

Differences in appearance, physiology, or behaviour in a particular species.

Question 4

What is a species?

Answer 4

A group of organisms that naturally interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

Question 5

What is a gene pool?

Answer 5

Total of all genes in a population at any one time.

Question 6

What is a population?

Answer 6

Number of organisms of the one kind/species that live in a given area at a given time.