Types of Natural Selection

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What is Directional Selection?

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A type of natural selection where one extreme phenotype is favored over others, causing a shift in the population's traits.

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What is Disruptive Selection?

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A type of natural selection that favors extreme phenotypes over intermediate phenotypes, leading to two or more contrasting phenotypes in the population.

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What is Stabilizing Selection?

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A type of natural selection that favors intermediate phenotypes and reduces variation in a trait.

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Example of Directional Selection?

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The increase in thick-furred deer in a cold environment as thin-furred deer die off.

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Example of Disruptive Selection?

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Finches with large and small beaks thrive while those with average-sized beaks decline.

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Example of Stabilizing Selection?

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Cats with whiskers around 12 cm long become more common as those with shorter or longer whiskers are less successful.

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What does a graph showing Directional Selection look like?

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A graph where one tail of the distribution curve shifts towards one extreme.

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What does a graph showing Disruptive Selection look like?

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A graph with two peaks, indicating the presence of two distinct phenotypes.

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What does a graph showing Stabilizing Selection look like?

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A graph with a single peak that is narrower than the original distribution, indicating reduced variation.

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How does natural selection affect population traits?

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Natural selection leads to changes in the frequency of traits in a population based on environmental pressures.