| A | B |
|---|
| adaptation | change that increases an organism's chances of survival |
| adaptive radiation | process in which one species evolves into several to fit various niches |
| gradualism | theory that evolution occurs slowly over a long period of time |
| mutation | change in genes or chromosomes that cause a new trait to be inherited |
| natural selection | survival/reproduction of organisms best adapted to their surroundings |
| punctuated equilibrium | theory that evolution occurs in rapid and sudden changes |
| species | a group of organisms that are able to interbreed and produce offspring |
| survival | the continued existence of an organism |
| trait | a characteristic of an organism |
| variation | differences in members of the same species |
