• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] An organism's features reflect its evolutionary history.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] There is a fit between organisms and their environments, though not always a perfect fit.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 13-16] Not all similar traits are homologous; some are the result of convergent evolution.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution occurs through multiple mechanisms.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution results from natural selection acting upon genetic variation within a population.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution results from genetic drift acting upon genetic variation within a population.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution results from mutations.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Evolution results from gene flow.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] New heritable traits can result from mutations.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Inherited characteristics affect the likelihood of an organism's survival and reproduction.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Over time, the proportion of individuals with advantageous traits may increase (and the proportion with disadvantageous traits may decrease) due to their chances of surviving and reproducing.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Traits that confer an advantage may persist in the population and are called adaptations.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 13-16] Depending on environmental conditions, inherited characteristics may be advantageous, neutral, or detrimental.

There are no NGSS/DCI concepts currently linked to this resource.

• Adaptation
• Genetic Variation
• Natural Selection