A condition where the usual symmetrical arrangement of body parts or organs is altered.

An organism that cannot synthesize its own food and must obtain nutrients by consuming other organisms, such as animals and fungi.

A hypothesis suggesting that life on Earth originated from heterotrophic organisms that consumed organic compounds from their environment.

Referring to organisms that depend on other organic compounds for nutrition, as opposed to autotrophic organisms which produce their own food.

An organism that relies on consuming other organisms or organic matter for nutrition.

The presence of different alleles at a gene locus, typically one inherited from each parent, resulting in genetic variation.

An individual organism that has two different alleles for a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.

A phenomenon where heterozygotes (individuals with two different alleles) exhibit superior fitness compared to either homozygote (individuals with identical alleles).

Having two different alleles for a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.

A term referring to a six-hooked larval stage of certain parasitic worms, such as tapeworms.