Natural Selection and Evolutionary History

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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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Who proposed the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?

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Charles Darwin proposed the theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.

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What is Directional Selection?

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Directional selection is a type of natural selection that favors one extreme phenotype over the mean or other extreme phenotypes.

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What is Stabilizing Selection?

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Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors average phenotypes and reduces variation.

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What is Disruptive Selection?

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Disruptive selection is a type of natural selection that favors extreme phenotypes over average phenotypes.

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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 with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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Why do male peacocks have elaborate feathers?

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Male peacocks have elaborate feathers because they are genetically preferred by females for mating.

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What role does competition play in Natural Selection?

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Competition shows which variations are more successful, allowing those organisms to survive and reproduce.

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What is a common misconception about Natural Selection?

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A common misconception is that natural selection is a conscious process; it is actually an unconscious process driven by environmental pressures.

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How does DNA relate to evolutionary relationships?

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DNA sequences can be compared to determine how closely related different organisms are; more similar DNA indicates a closer evolutionary relationship.