Role of natural selection and evolution Genes, Populations, and Species: Three interrelated concepts Genes: Genes are distinct pieces of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that determine the characteristics an individual displays Population: a population is considered to be all the organisms of the same kind found within a specific geographic region Species: A species is a population of all the organisms potentially capable of reproducing naturally among themselves and having offspring that also reproduce An individual organism is not a species but a member of a species• Genes, Populations, and Species: Three interrelated concepts – – Genes: Genes are distinct pieces of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that determine the characteristics an individual displays. – Population: A population is considered to be all the organisms of the same kind found within a specific geographic region. – Species: A species is a population of all the organisms potentially capable of reproducing naturally among themselves and having offspring that also reproduce. ™ An individual organism is not a species but a member of a species. Role of Natural Selection and Evolution