Natural and Artificial Selection

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on natural and artificial selection, including Darwin's contributions, finch adaptation, and examples of human-driven selection.

Who was the English naturalist known for his observations on the diversity of organisms and the formation of natural selection?

Charles Darwin.

What is the core idea behind natural selection?

Nature itself selects which organisms will survive better and adapt more effectively to their environment.

What was one of Darwin's major contributions related to observing the diversity of organisms?

His observations of finches on the Galapagos Islands and how they adapted.

How did finches like the large brown finch, cactus brown finch, and woodpecker finch demonstrate adaptation?

They adapted traits, such as their beak forms, to best suit their specific island environments, enabling them to live longer and better lives.

According to the lecture, what ultimately selects which organisms survive and adapt better in natural selection?

The environment itself.

What is the key characteristic that defines belonging to the same species, as exemplified by Homo sapiens?

The ability to reproduce only within that specific species.

What is the process called when selection is carried out by humans, rather than nature?

Artificial selection.

In artificial selection, who or what is responsible for breeding and selecting specific traits?

The breeder or farmers, not nature.

What is an example of artificial selection in plants mentioned in the notes?

The development of crops like brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower from a wild mustard ancestor through selection by farmers.