Evolution - The permanent change in the frequency of alleles in a gene pool due to natural selection. Gene pools - A gene pool is the genetic makeup of a population, including all... Evolution - The permanent change in the frequency of alleles in a gene pool due to natural selection. Gene pools - A gene pool is the genetic makeup of a population, including all the alleles present for every gene. Mutation - A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism. These changes can occur naturally during DNA replication or be induced by external factors like radiation or chemicals. Mutations can be harmless, beneficial, or harmful, affecting an organism's traits, health, and evolution. Examples include genetic disorders, new adaptations, or variations within species. Adaptation - Adaptation in biology refers to the process by which organisms adjust and evolve to become better suited to their environments. These adjustments can be structural, behavioral, or physiological. Natural Selection - Natural selection is a process in evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. Artificial Selection - Artificial selection is when humans intentionally breed plants or animals to develop specific desired traits. By selecting organisms with desired characteristics to reproduce, we can enhance those traits in future generations. Speciation - Speciation is the process by which new and distinct species evolve. It occurs when populations of a species become isolated from one another to the extent that they can no longer interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Evidence for Evolution - Includes fossil records, comparative anatomy, and dna/protein similarities. (genetic evidence showing how species have changed over time) Species - A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. They share common characteristics and genetic similarities. Population - In biology, a population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area. They interact and interbreed, sharing the same gene pool. Variation - This refers to the differences in characteristics (genetic or phenotypic) within a population. Variations arise due to mutations, genetic recombination, and other processes, and are essential for evolution. Cross Breeding - This is the mating of individuals from different breeds or varieties within the same species. It’s done to combine desirable traits from both parents. For example, crossing two different dog breeds to create a hybrid with characteristics of both. In Breeding - Mating between closely related individuals. While it can preserve desirable traits, it also increases the risk of genetic disorders due to a lack of genetic diversity. Fittest - Fittest often refers to an organisms ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. It’s part of the phrase “survival of the fittest,” which means that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their genes. Three main steps of speciation - Isolation: This is when a population gets separated into different groups. It can happen due to geographical barriers (like mountains or rivers), ecological differences (different habitats), or even behavioral changes (different mating rituals). This separation means the groups can no longer interbreed. Variation: Most genetic mutations have no effect. A few, however, produce new alleles, which result in new traits. These new traits make the population more diverse. This is called variation. Some of these traits help organisms survive and reproduce (these are called adaptations). Because of this, these traits are more likely to be passed on to the next generation than other, less helpful traits. Selection: Each group is exposed to selection pressures, such as: Food / shelter availability, Environmental, conditions, Biological factors (predators, diseases etc.) Since these pressures are different for each group, different traits are advantageous. Over time, the groups become less and less alike. Eventually, the two groups become so different that they cannot mate any more (or if they can, their offspring are infertile). When this point is reached, the two are considered different species. Example of a trait in organism that illustrates adaptation through natural selection: Imagine a species of moth living in a forest where the trees are light-colored. If some moths have a genetic mutation that makes them lighter, they are better camouflaged against predators. Over time, these light-colored moths survive and reproduce more successfully than their darker counterparts. Read more