Natural selection & evolution

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What is natural selection?

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Natural selection is the process by which individuals with adaptive traits survive and reproduce more successfully than others, leading to changes in the traits of a population over generations.

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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, often driven by natural selection.

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What is a population in biological terms?

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A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.

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What are adaptive traits?

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Adaptive traits are characteristics that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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How do adaptive traits affect a population over time?

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Adaptive traits tend to become more common in a population over many generations due to natural selection.

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What is variation in a population?

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Variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals within a population.

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What role does competition play in natural selection?

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Competition for resources such as food, mates, and shelter can influence which individuals survive and reproduce.

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What is the significance of genetic variation?

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Genetic variation is crucial for natural selection as it provides the raw material for evolution, allowing populations to adapt to changing environments.

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What is the difference between inherited traits and acquired traits?

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Inherited traits are passed down from parents to offspring through genes, while acquired traits are gained during an individual's life and are not passed on.

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What is the concept 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.