natural selection quiz

How does natural selection cause evolution?

selecting for advantageous traits

How is evolutionary fitness measured?

reproductive success

Why is it beneficial for a species to maintain genetic diversity?

greater chance to adapt / create advantageous traits

What types of environments would favor rapid evolution?

new predators or new resources (certain traits help species evade predators / compete for resources)

What is an adaptation?

heritable trait that enhances an individuals ability to survive

** major lines of evidence supporting the theory of evolution

fossils, Darwin’s finches, and anatomy

role of the environment in natural selection

dictates which traits are advantageous in a species

avg to an extreme

directional selection

favors avg, reduces variation

stabilizing selection

favors extreme, reduces avg

disruptive selection