Natural Selection

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is fitness in the context of natural selection?

Back

Fitness refers to the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in a specific environment.

Front

How does pollution affect the traits of organisms in a habitat?

Back

Pollution can change the environment, leading to a shift in which traits are advantageous for survival, such as darker coloration in fish in polluted waters.

Front

What is an adaptation?

Back

An adaptation is a trait that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Front

Can adaptations be behavioral, structural, or physiological?

Back

Yes, adaptations can be classified as behavioral (actions), structural (physical features), or physiological (internal processes).

Front

What happens to traits that provide a survival advantage in a changing environment?

Back

Traits that provide a survival advantage become more common in the population over time.

Front

Give an example of a trait that may become more common due to natural selection.

Back

An example is the increase in dark-colored moths in industrial areas where soot has darkened tree bark.

Front

What role does genetic variation play in natural selection?

Back

Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection, allowing some individuals to have traits that better suit them to their environment.

Front

What is the significance of the phrase 'survival of the fittest'?

Back

'Survival of the fittest' refers to the idea that individuals with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Front

How can environmental changes impact natural selection?

Back

Environmental changes can alter which traits are advantageous, leading to shifts in population dynamics and adaptations.