UNIT 7, NATURAL SELECTION

What is natural selection?

the process where individuals with traits that give them a higher chance of survival are more likely to reproduce, leading to the accumulation of favorable traits over time.

What creates variation among individuals in a species?

primarily created by mutations in genes and the different combinations of genes due to sexual reproduction.

What does the term 'fitness' refer to in a biological context?

refers to the ability of an organism to survive and produce fertile offspring.

What is the impact of selective pressure on a species?

a factor that influences survivability, determining which species have a better or worse chance of surviving.

How can environmental changes affect species over time?

can lead to adaptations in species, or in some cases, extinction if they cannot adjust to the new conditions.

What happens when populations become so different that they can no longer reproduce?

can lead to the formation of new species.

What is an example of a selective pressure mentioned in the lecture?

predators, such as birds or snakes, that influence the survival of species like mice.

What adaptation was noted regarding the peppered moths in response to pollution?

In response to pollution, light-colored moths had a disadvantage as pollution killed the lichen on trees, leading to an increase in dark-colored moths.

What is an adaptation in biological terms?

a characteristic or trait that gives an organism an advantage in surviving and reproducing in its environment.

What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

because they create genetic variation which is essential for natural selection and evolution.