Natural Selection & Evolution

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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 is genetic variation?

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Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA among individuals within a population, which provides the raw material for natural selection.

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How does genetic variation contribute to natural selection?

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Genetic variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon, allowing for the evolution of species.

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What is divergent evolution?

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Divergent evolution occurs when two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures.

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What is an example of divergent evolution?

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The beaks of different bird species on the Galápagos Islands are an example of divergent evolution.

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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 do humans influence artificial selection?

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Humans influence artificial selection by choosing which organisms reproduce based on desired traits.

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What is the misconception about giraffes and neck stretching?

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The misconception is that characteristics acquired during an organism's life can be passed on to offspring; this is incorrect.

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What is the role of mutations in evolution?

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Mutations are changes in DNA that can lead to new traits, some of which may provide a survival advantage.

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What is the significance of survival of the fittest?

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