Natural selection is the process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more successfully than those that are not as well adapted. This leads to the gradual change in the characteristics of a population over time, known as evolution.
Evolution is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over successive generations, resulting in the development of new species. Natural selection is one of the mechanisms that drives evolution, along with genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.
Through natural selection, individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation, while those with less advantageous traits are less likely to reproduce. Over time, this can lead to the accumulation of genetic changes in a population, ultimately resulting in the evolution of new species.
Overall, natural selection and evolution are closely intertwined processes that shape the diversity of life on Earth.
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Google Gemini AI
Jul 17
Natural Selection
Natural selection is the driving force behind evolution. It refers to the process by which individuals with traits that make them better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Mechanism of Natural Selection:
1. Variation: Individuals within a population exhibit genetic variation due to mutations and recombination. 2. Overproduction: Populations tend to produce more offspring than the environment can support. 3. Struggle for Existence: This competition for limited resources leads to individuals with less advantageous traits being eliminated. 4. Survival of the Fittest: Individuals with traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation.
Evolution
Evolution is the gradual change in the genetic composition of populations over time. It results from the cumulative effects of natural selection and other factors such as genetic drift and mutation.
Stages of Evolution:
1. Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species from a common ancestor. 2. Adaptive Radiation: The divergence of a group of closely related species into a variety of specialized ecological niches. 3. Macroevolution: Significant evolutionary changes that may occur over millions of years, leading to the formation of new body plans and major groups of organisms.
Examples of Natural Selection and Evolution:
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria: Bacteria with antibiotic-resistant genes survive and reproduce, passing on their resistance to future generations. - Peppered Moths in Industrial England: Moths with dark coloration camouflaged better in polluted industrial areas than light-colored moths, resulting in the evolution of darker populations. - Darwin's Finches in the Galápagos Islands: Finches evolved different beak shapes to adapt to different food sources available on different islands. - Whale Evolution from Land Animals: Ancestral whales gradually adapted to a marine environment, evolving fins, a streamlined body, and echolocation. - Human Evolution: Humans evolved from tree-dwelling primates to become bipedal and develop large brains, complex language, and high cognitive abilities.
Key Principles:
- Natural selection is non-random and favors advantageous traits. - Evolution is a continuous process that occurs over generations. - Evolution results in the adaptation of populations to their specific environments. - Natural selection and evolution provide the underlying mechanisms for the diversity of life on Earth.