Artificial Selection Flashcard

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What is artificial selection?

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Artificial selection is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for specific traits, selecting individuals with desirable characteristics to reproduce.

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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, leading to evolutionary changes over time.

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How does artificial selection affect genetic variation?

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Artificial selection often reduces genetic variation by favoring specific traits and limiting the gene pool.

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What drives natural selection?

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Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures and survival challenges that affect an organism's ability to reproduce.

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What is niche differentiation?

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Niche differentiation is the process by which competing species use the environment differently to coexist, reducing competition.

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What is allopatric speciation?

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Allopatric speciation is the formation of new species due to geographic isolation, preventing gene flow between populations.

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What is a realized niche?

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A realized niche is the actual conditions and resources a species uses in its environment, as opposed to its potential or fundamental niche.

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What is a fundamental niche?

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A fundamental niche is the full range of environmental conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce.

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How do environmental pressures influence evolution?

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Environmental pressures can lead to natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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What is selective breeding?

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Selective breeding is a form of artificial selection where humans choose specific traits in plants or animals to enhance or propagate.