Connect Traits to Survival Success - Biology

Differences in observable traits among individuals in a population. Raw material for natural selection to act upon.

Observable characteristics produced by genes and environment. Result of genotype interacting with environment.

An organism’s genetic makeup; the alleles it carries. Determines which traits can be expressed.

An alternative version of a gene at a specific locus. Different versions create variation within populations.

An environmental factor that affects survival or reproduction. Creates the selection that drives evolutionary change.

Individuals with certain traits leave more viable offspring than others. Drives evolution by favoring beneficial traits.

A trait that reduces detection by predators or prey. Reduces predation risk by blending with surroundings.

Resembling another organism or object to gain a survival advantage. Deception strategy that confuses predators or prey.

Warning coloration that signals toxicity or danger to predators. Honest signal that deters predators from attacking.

A trait improves one aspect of fitness but reduces another. Evolution involves compromises between competing demands.

A physical body feature that increases fitness. Body form or anatomy that enhances fitness.

An internal functional trait (biochemical/process) that increases fitness. Internal processes that improve survival or reproduction.

Adaptation. Trait evolved specifically to enhance survival to maturity.

Reproductive success. Ultimate measure of evolutionary fitness.

A change in selective pressures. Alters which traits provide survival or reproductive advantage.

Those with higher fitness leave more offspring, not necessarily the strongest. Fitness is about reproduction, not physical dominance.

It tends to increase the allele’s frequency in the population. Selection increases frequency of advantageous alleles over time.

Fitness measures reproduction; survival alone does not guarantee gene transfer. Reproduction is essential for passing genes forward.

A group of the same species living and interbreeding in one area. Basic unit where evolution occurs through mating.

The extent to which a trait increases fitness in a given environment. Measures how much a trait improves fitness.

Individuals with the trait leave more viable offspring in that environment. Reproductive advantage demonstrates adaptive value.

It acts on individuals, but populations evolve (allele frequencies change). Selection targets individuals but changes population genetics.

Selection requires variation; without variation, no trait is favored. Variation provides raw material for selection to work on.

Traits must be heritable for selection to change allele frequencies. Only heritable traits can evolve through natural selection.

Resistant bacteria survive treatment and reproduce, increasing resistance alleles. Antibiotics create strong selection pressure favoring resistance.

Resistant individuals survive spraying and leave more offspring. Pesticides act as selection pressure favoring resistance genes.

Mutations and genetic recombination. Creates new alleles and gene combinations for selection.

A change in DNA that can create new alleles. Source of new genetic variants in populations.

A heritable trait that increases fitness in a specific environment. Must improve survival or reproduction in that environment.