Chapter 5: Problem 1

What is natural selection? What conditions are necessary for natural selection to occur?

Short Answer

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Answer: Natural selection is the process by which organisms with certain advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without these traits, leading to a change in the population's genetic composition over time. The five primary conditions necessary for natural selection to occur are variation, inheritance, overproduction, differential survival and reproduction, and time.

Step by step solution

Definition of Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with certain advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without these traits. This, over time, leads to a change in the population's genetic composition, as more organisms with the advantageous traits pass on their genetic information to future generations.

Conditions Required for Natural Selection

There are five primary conditions necessary for natural selection to occur: 1.

Variation

For natural selection to take place, there must be variation in the traits or characteristics within a population. These variations may be physical, behavioral, or physiological and arise from genetic differences among individuals in the population. 2.

Inheritance

The variation must be heritable, meaning it can be passed down from parent to offspring through the genes. Only traits that have a genetic basis can be selected for or against through natural selection. 3.

Overproduction

In most species, more offspring are produced than can survive, leading to competition for limited resources. This overproduction of offspring creates a 'struggle for existence' among individuals, increasing the importance of advantageous traits to aid survival and reproduction. 4.

Differential Survival and Reproduction

Organisms with traits that are advantageous in a given environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than those without these traits. This is a core component of natural selection – the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on their specific traits. 5.

Time

Natural selection does not happen overnight; it is a gradual process that occurs over multiple generations. As the advantageous traits are passed on and become more prevalent in a population, the overall genetic makeup of that population will change over time. By understanding the conditions necessary for natural selection to occur, we can gain a deeper comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the process of evolution and the development of life on Earth.

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What is natural selection? What conditions are necessary for natural selection to occur?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Definition of Natural Selection

Conditions Required for Natural Selection

Variation

Inheritance

Overproduction

Differential Survival and Reproduction

Time

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