Natural Selection and Evolution

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What is Natural Selection?

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Natural Selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

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What is Evolution?

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Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations, driven by processes such as natural selection, mutation, and genetic drift.

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What is a Cladogram?

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A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

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What does 'fitness' mean in an evolutionary context?

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In evolution, 'fitness' refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. It is often measured by the number of offspring an organism produces.

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What is Variation in a species?

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Variation refers to the differences in physical traits among individuals of the same species, which can be caused by genetic differences, environmental factors, or a combination of both.

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What is an adaptation?

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An adaptation is a trait that has evolved through natural selection, allowing an organism to better survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in organisms. They are a source of genetic variation, which is essential for natural selection.

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How do environmental changes affect natural selection?

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Environmental changes can alter the conditions in which organisms live, affecting which traits are advantageous and thus influencing the process of natural selection.

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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 organisms for specific traits, while natural selection is the process by which nature selects organisms that are better adapted to their environment.

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What is the role of competition in natural selection?

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Competition occurs when organisms vie for limited resources such as food, mates, and habitat. It can drive natural selection by favoring individuals with advantageous traits.