PhET Natural Selection

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is the importance of reproduction in natural selection?

Back

Reproduction allows advantageous traits to be passed on to the next generation, contributing to the evolution of the species.

Front

How can environmental changes impact a species?

Back

They can alter the selecting factors, leading to shifts in which traits are advantageous for survival.

Front

How does fur color affect rabbit survival?

Back

Fur color can influence a rabbit's ability to camouflage from predators, affecting its chances of survival and reproduction.

Front

What role do predators play in natural selection?

Back

Predators can influence which traits are favorable for survival, leading to changes in the population over time.

Front

What is adaptation?

Back

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

Front

What is genetic variation?

Back

Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA among individuals within a population, which can lead to different traits.

Front

What is a selective pressure?

Back

Selective pressure is an environmental factor that influences which individuals survive and reproduce.

Front

What is fitness in the context of natural selection?

Back

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

Front

What is a mutation?

Back

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in an organism.