Natural Selection

Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution, first proposed by Charles Darwin. It is the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to the next generation.

Mechanism of Natural Selection

Natural selection operates through several key mechanisms:

• Variation: Within a population, individuals exhibit variation in traits such as color, size, and behavior.
• Heritability: Some of these variations are heritable and can be passed on to offspring.
• Differential Reproduction: Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, while those with less advantageous traits are less likely to do so.

Study Guide

Key Concepts

1. Define natural selection and its role in evolution.
2. Explain the importance of variation and heritability in the process of natural selection.
3. Describe how differential reproduction leads to changes in a population over time.

Examples

Provide examples of natural selection in action, such as the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria or the evolution of beak shapes in finches.

Application

Discuss how human activities, such as selective breeding in agriculture or animal husbandry, can mimic the process of natural selection to produce desired traits in domesticated plants and animals.

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