Natural Selection

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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 does 'survival of the fittest' mean?

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

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What is an adaptation?

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An adaptation is a trait or characteristic that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is variation in a population?

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Variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals in a population, which can affect their survival and reproduction.

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What is the role of mutation in natural selection?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can create new traits; some mutations may provide advantages that enhance survival and reproduction.

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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.

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How does natural selection lead to evolution?

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Natural selection leads to evolution by favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction, gradually changing the genetic makeup of a population over time.

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What is fitness in the context of natural selection?

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Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

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Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable physical or behavioral traits.

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What is the significance of the peppered moth in studying natural selection?

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The peppered moth is a classic example of natural selection, where changes in coloration helped the moths survive against predators in polluted environments.