Evolution: In general terms, change over time.

Gene: A sequence of DNA that codes for a particular trait.

Mutation: A change in DNA.
Genetic drift: Biological evolution that occurs by chance.
Natural selection: Any of the natural materials and energy sources provided by nature that
humans need to survive.
Fitness: The degree to which an organism can reproduce successfully in its environment.
Adaptation: A heritable trait that increases the likelihood of an individual survival.
Artificial selection: A human-controlled process to produce individuals with certain traits.
Spectation: The process by which new species are generated.
Extinction: The disappearance of a species from Earth.
Niche: An organism’s habitat, resource use, and fundamental role in a community.
Tolerance: The ability to survive and reproduce under changing environmental conditions.
Resource partitioning: A process that allows different species to share common resources.
Predation: The process by which individuals of one species hunt, capture, and feed on
individuals of another species.
Coevolution: The process by which two species evolve in response to changes in each other.
Parasitism: A relationship between two organisms from different species in which one organism
depends on the other for nourishment or some other benefit.
Symbiosis: A long-term and physically close relationship between two organisms from different
species in which at least one organisms benefits; commensalism relationships.
Herbivory: The act of feeding on a plant.
Mutualism: A relationship between two organisms from different species in which both
organisms benefit.
Commensalism: A relationship between two organisms from different species in which one
benefits and the other one is unaffected.
Primary producer: An organism that can capture energy from the sun or from chemicals and
store it; also called autotroph
Photosynthesis: The process by which primary producers use sunlight to convert carbon
dioxide and water into sugar, releasing oxygen.
Chemosynthesis: The process by which bacteria use energy stored in bonds of hydrogen
sulfide to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars.
Consumer: An organism that relies on other organisms for energy and nutrients; also called
heterotroph.
Cellular respiration: The process by which organisms use oxygen to release the chemical
energy of sugars, producing carbon dioxide and water.
Herbivore: An organism that eat plants.
Carnivore: An animal that kills and eats other animals.
Omnivore: And animal that eats both, animals and plants
Detritivore: An organism that scavenges the waste products or dead bodies of other community
members.
Decomposer: An organism that breaks down nonliving matter into simple parts that can then be
taken up and reused by primary producers.
Trophic level: A rank in a feeding hierarchy.
Biomass: The total amount of living tissue in a trophic level.
Food Chain: A linear series of feeding relationships.
Food web: A diagram of feeding relationships and energy flow showing the paths by which
nutrients and energy pass from organism to organism as one consumes another.
Keystone species: A species that has a strong or wide ranging impact on a community