Natural Selection and Evolution

Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.

An adaptation is a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment.

Vestigial structures are body parts that have lost their original function through evolution, indicating a common ancestry.

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Mutations introduce genetic variation, which can lead to new traits that may be advantageous for survival.

Homologous structures are similar due to shared ancestry, while analogous structures are similar due to convergent evolution, not common ancestry.

Competition for resources leads to survival of the fittest, where only the organisms best suited to their environment survive.

Genetic variation is crucial for a population's ability to adapt to changing environments and survive over time.

Survival of the fittest refers to the idea that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.