process through which species change over time
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Adaptation
A characteristic or any inherited trait that makes a species better suited to survive and reproduce in its environment
Habitat Natural environment in which a living
thing gets all that it needs to live Ex. Deserts, rainforest, coral reef, lake
Natural Selection
The process through which members of a species that are best suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other members of their species.
Mass Extinction
One of several periods in Earth’s history when large numbers of species became extinct at basically the same time.
Succession
A natural process that involves a gradual change in the plant and animal communities that live there.
Vestigial Organ
a physical structure that was fully developed and functional in an earlier group of organisms but is reduced and unused in later species.
Limiting Factor
Factor or condition that prevents the continuing growth of a population in an ecosystem
Isolation
Separation of a population of organisms from related forms in such a manner to prevent crossbreeding
Population Dynamics
The study of the changes in the number of individuals in a population and the factors that affect those changes
Population density
Measure of the number of organisms that live in a given area
Ex. 15 rabbits per sq km
Opportunists
Species characterized by a relatively short life span, with relatively large numbers of offspring
Competitor
A species characterized by a relatively longer life span, with relatively few offspring, when compared with an opportunist species.