Natural Selection Review

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What is natural selection?

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

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What are adaptive traits?

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Adaptive traits are characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is a mass extinction?

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A mass extinction is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth, typically characterized by the extinction of a large number of species in a short period.

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How do scientists study past extinctions?

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Scientists study past extinctions by analyzing the fossil record, which provides evidence of species that existed and their extinction events.

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What can lead to extinction?

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Extinction can be caused by factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, overexploitation, and introduction of invasive species.

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Why is genetic variation important in a population?

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Genetic variation is important because it increases the chances that some individuals will survive environmental changes and challenges.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can create new traits, which may be beneficial, neutral, or harmful, and contribute to the process of evolution.

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What does 'survival of the fittest' mean?

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

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What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?

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Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits, while natural selection occurs without human intervention.

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What is a niche in ecology?

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A niche is the role or function of an organism or species within an ecosystem, including its habitat, resource use, and interactions with other organisms.