Natural Selection

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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 reproduce more than those that are less well adapted.

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What does it mean to be 'best adapted'?

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Being 'best adapted' means having traits that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a specific environment.

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What is the role of variation in natural selection?

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Variation among individuals in a population is crucial for natural selection, as it provides the raw material for evolution.

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How does natural selection lead to evolution?

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Natural selection leads to evolution by favoring the reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits, gradually changing the genetic makeup of a population over time.

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What is the significance of survival and reproduction in natural selection?

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Survival and reproduction are significant because they determine which traits are passed on to the next generation, influencing the evolution of the species.

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What is an example of natural selection in action?

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An example of natural selection is the peppered moth, where darker moths became more common in polluted areas because they were less visible to predators.

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What is the difference between inherited traits and acquired traits?

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Inherited traits are passed down genetically from parents to offspring, while acquired traits are developed through experience or environmental influences.

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Why do some species go extinct?

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Species may go extinct if they cannot adapt to changing environmental conditions or if they fail to compete successfully for resources.

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What is adaptation?

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Adaptation is a trait that increases an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in a specific environment.

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How does competition affect natural selection?

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Competition for resources such as food, mates, and habitat can influence which individuals survive and reproduce, driving natural selection.