Useful Terms & Concepts

adaptation
A heritable change that improves the ability of an individual or species to survive in an environment.

artificial selection
The breeding of animals by humans to pass on desired traits to the next generation. Darwin originated the term to contrast with natural selection.

breed
A group of individuals within a species that exhibit particular traits as a result of artificial selection. For example, Arabians and thoroughbreds are two breeds of the horse species.

domestication
The taming and breeding of animals.

evolution
The scientific theory explaining how groups of living things change over time.

extinction
The state in which living representatives of a species no longer exist.

species
A particular kind of organism. Individuals of the same species can mate to produce viable fertile offspring.

trait
Any characteristic that is observable and measurable. Traits can be expressed genetically, environmentally, or as a combination of the two.

wild
A non-domesticated animal.