Family

A unit of scientific classification that comes after order but before genus in terms of biological relationships.

Fertility

Ability to reproduce.

Fertilization

The process by which male and female sex cells (gametes) unite to form a zygote or new individual.

Fission

The simplest form of asexual reproduction that involves the division of a single organism into two compete organisms.

Forest

A type of ecosystem generally described as a large area of land covered with trees.

Fossil

The remains of a plant or animal that lived in the past.

Fossil Record

A record of all known (past and present) fossils.


Founder Effect

Form of genetic drift that occurs when allele frequencies in a group of migrating individuals are, by pure chance, significantly different than that of their population of origin, and this group goes on to develop into a distinctly different species. Also known as Founder's Principle.

Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection

A theorem developed by Sir Ronald A. Fisher stating that the rate of evolution in a population increases with greater genetic variability and decreases with lower genetic variability.

Fungi

Simple nongreen plants that lack chlorophyll, the green matter that higher plants use to make food.

Fur

The thick growth of hair that covers the skin of many kinds of animals.