Chapter 14: Genetics & Evolution

• What is the first step in the process of Evolution by Natural Selection?

  Variation
• What does variation in a population refer to?

  Differences in traits due to genetics
• What do organisms compete for in their environment?

  Limited resources
• What are some examples of limited resources that organisms compete for?

  Food, mates, water, and shelter
• What does "survival of the fittest" mean in the context of natural selection?

  Better-suited traits lead to survival and reproduction
• What are advantageous traits that help organisms survive called?

  Adaptations
• How are advantageous traits passed on to the next generation?

  Through reproduction
• What happens to advantageous traits over many generations?

  Their frequency increases in the population
• What is the final outcome of the process of Evolution by Natural Selection?

  Gradual change in the population
• What are the main steps in the process of Evolution by Natural Selection?

  1. Variation: Genetic differences in traits
  2. Competition: Struggle for limited resources
  3. Survival of the Fittest: Adaptations enhance survival
  4. Reproduction: Passing advantageous traits to offspring
  5. Gradual Change: Increase in advantageous traits over generations
• What is the process of Genetic Engineering? (5)

  • GENE SELECTION- scientists identity and select the desired gene(s) with beneficial traits (e.g. disease resistance).
  • GENE ISOLATION - The gene is isolated from the DNA of an organism using enzymes
  • INSERTION- The desired gene is inserted into the DNA of a different organism (e.g. into a bacterial plasmid or a plant)
  • REPRODUCTION - the genetically modified organism reproduces, passing on the inserted gene to its offspring.
  • DESIRED TRAITS - The resulting organism display the desired traits, such as nigher crop yield or resistance to pests.