Glossary
Adaptability
The ability of a population or species to adjust to new conditions or changes in its environment. High genetic diversity enhances a population's adaptability.
Example:
If a new disease emerges, a population of frogs with varied immune system genes will show greater adaptability than one with uniform genes, as some individuals are likely to be resistant.
Adaptive Traits
Characteristics or features that enhance an organism's survival and reproduction in a specific environment. These traits become more common in a population through natural selection.
Example:
The thick fur of a polar bear is an adaptive trait that helps it survive in extremely cold Arctic environments.
Antibiotic Resistance
The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of an antibiotic, often due to genetic mutations or acquired genes. This is a significant public health concern driven by natural selection.
Example:
When a patient doesn't finish their full course of medication, the strongest bacteria survive and reproduce, leading to antibiotic resistance in the remaining infection.
Ecosystem Health
A measure of the overall well-being and stability of an ecosystem, often indicated by its biodiversity, productivity, and resilience to disturbance. Genetic diversity within species contributes to overall ecosystem health.
Example:
A coral reef with a wide variety of coral species and fish populations demonstrates strong ecosystem health, making it more resistant to bleaching events.
Evolution
The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. Genetic diversity provides the raw material for evolution by natural selection.
Example:
The gradual development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from non-resistant ancestors is a clear example of evolution occurring in real-time.
Genetic Diversity
The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, referring to the variety of genes within a population. High genetic diversity makes a population more robust and adaptable.
Example:
A field of corn with many different varieties of seeds, some resistant to drought and others to pests, demonstrates high genetic diversity.
Natural Selection
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is a key mechanism of evolution.
Example:
In a forest, green beetles are camouflaged and survive better than red beetles, leading to an increase in green beetles over generations through natural selection.
Pesticide Resistance
The inherited ability of a pest to survive a pesticide application that would normally kill individuals of that species. It develops through natural selection favoring resistant individuals.
Example:
Farmers often find that after years of using the same chemical, certain insect populations develop pesticide resistance, making the treatment ineffective.
Population
A group of individuals of the same species living in the same geographical area at the same time. Genetic diversity is measured within a population.
Example:
All the white-tailed deer living in a specific forest constitute a population.
Resilience
The capacity of a population or ecosystem to recover quickly from difficulties or disturbances. Genetic diversity contributes to a population's resilience against stressors like disease outbreaks.
Example:
After a severe wildfire, a forest with a wide variety of tree species, some more fire-resistant than others, will exhibit greater resilience in its regrowth.
Selective Pressures
Environmental factors that favor the survival and reproduction of individuals with certain traits over others. These pressures drive natural selection.
Example:
The introduction of a new predator into a lake acts as a selective pressure, favoring fish that are faster swimmers or better camouflaged.