11-Natural Selection & Adaptation

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Adaptation

Characteristic that enhances the survival or reproduction of organisms.

Differential reproductive success

The concept that individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Fitness

The reproductive success of an organism, often measured by the number of offspring produced.

Sexual Selection

A mode of natural selection where individuals with certain traits are more likely to attract mates.

Pleitropy

A genetic phenomenon where one gene influences multiple traits.

Exaptation

An evolutionary process where a trait evolves for one function and is later co-opted for another.

Gene flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations.

Cooperative behavior

Actions by individuals that benefit others while reducing their own fitness.

Evolutionary processes

Mechanisms like natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation that drive changes in populations over time.