Four Principles of Natural Selection Quiz

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Four Principles of Natural Selection

Variation, overproduction, adaptation, and descent with modification.

Variation

Differences in traits among individuals of the same species.

Examples of Variation

Differences in color, size, speed, or resistance to disease.

Importance of Variation

Gives some individuals an advantage in certain environments.

Overproduction

Producing more offspring than can survive.

Reason for Overproduction

Resources like food, water, and space are limited.

Result of Overproduction

Competition for survival.

Adaptation

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Example of Adaptation

A polar bear’s white fur helps it hunt in snow.

Effect of Adaptations

They increase an organism’s chances of surviving and reproducing.

Descent with Modification

Helpful traits become more common over generations.

Fate of Beneficial Traits

They are passed on and increase in a population.

Example of Descent with Modification

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria survive and multiply.

Result of Descent with Modification

Evolution.