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Survival

Definition

Survival in biology refers to the ability of an organism or species to live and thrive in its environment, overcoming challenges such as predation, disease, and changes in climate.

Analogy

Think of survival like a video game. The player (organism) has to navigate through different levels (environments), overcome obstacles (predators, diseases), and adapt to new rules or settings (changes in climate) to keep playing the game.

Related terms

Adaptation: This is the process by which organisms become better suited to their environment over time. It's like updating your gaming strategy based on what you've learned from previous levels.

Natural Selection: This is nature's way of choosing who gets to reproduce based on who is best adapted for survival. It's like a leaderboard in a game where only the top players get to advance.

Habitat: This is the natural home or environment of an organism. It's like the setting or map where your video game takes place.

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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.