Evolution is the scientific theory that populations of organisms change over time.

Population is a group of organisms of the same species that live in the same geographic area at the same time.

Trait is a characteristic that is passed down from parents.

Adaption are good traits that help to survive.

Mutation is a change in an organism’s DNA. (This can som times change their traits, and every so often give them an adaption helpful to survival)

Species is a specific group of organisms that can produce fertile offspring.

Extinction is when a species die out.

Selective breeding is when humans breed for desired traits.

Natural selection is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Living things reproduce more offspring than will survive.

There is a variation within a population of a species. Each individual is slightly different from the next. We’re all genetically unique. Variation is caused by 1. Mutations in the DNA, and 2. Sexual reproduction (combining DNA from 2 parents)

The Struggle to Survive is basically a competition, like when there isn’t enough food, water, & other resources for all. Predator vs. Prey, there is a struggle for existence; only some survive to adulthood.

Successful Reproduction is the organisms with the best traits survive long enough to reproduce and pass those traits on to their offspring.

Natural Selection has to do with how the offspring survives in the wild with the traits it has.