Natural Selection

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process in which helpful traits become more common over time.

Front

What happens to the populations of yellow and green morph insects in the rainforest canopy?

Back

The green population is expected to increase and the yellow population to decrease.

Front

Why is the mouse population changing over time?

Back

The hawks eat more light mice than dark mice because they can see the light mice more easily.

Front

Do organisms 'decide' to evolve and change?

Back

No, they change because of natural selection.

Front

What word describes a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment?

Back

Adaptation.

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

How does camouflage serve as an adaptation?

Back

Camouflage helps organisms blend into their environment, making it harder for predators to spot them.

Front

What role do predators play in natural selection?

Back

Predators can influence which traits are favorable by preying on individuals with less advantageous traits.

Front

What is the difference between natural selection and evolution?

Back

Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution; evolution is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time.

Front

Can natural selection lead to the development of new species?

Back

Yes, over long periods, natural selection can lead to speciation, where populations evolve into distinct species.