NATURAL SELECTION The process by which organisms that are most fit for their environment survive and reproduce.

Hardy-Weinberg Law A principle stating that the genotype frequencies and gene frequencies of a large randomly mating population remains constant given immigration, mutation and selection DO NOT take place.

Gene Flow The movement of a certain type of gene from one population of species to another.

Artificial Selection Humans select which traits will be passed on

Fitness Having the best traits suited for the current environment

Adaptation An inherited GOOD trait that improves chances of surviving.

The function or position of a species within an community with other species Niche

Species Members of a group who share multiple characteristics and produce fertile offspring.

Gene Pool The total of all the genes in a species

Genetic Drift Change in the frequency of a gene in a population due to a random occurrence.

The Bottleneck Effect A quick and serious reduction in the number of species in a population

B iodiversity The additive amount of all the different organisms in an area. (Variety)

Producer Organisms that create their own energy from sunlight or chemicals

Consumer Organisms that get energy by eating other animals or plants

Detritivore Organisms that get energy from dead or decaying matter.

Geographic Distribution The area covered/occu pied by members of the same species.

Population Density The number of individuals per unit of area

Immigration When Individuals enter into a population

Emigration When Individuals leave a population

Logistic Growth Growth that increases steadily then levels out as it reaches the carrying capacity

Exponential Growth Growth that steadily increases. Does not slow down.

Greenhouse Effect Unusual warming of the Earth by UV rays from the sun that have been trapped by the earth’s atmosphere.