Theory of Natural Selection

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Darwin's theory of natural selection, including definitions, principles, and examples.

What is natural selection?

A mechanism by which individuals that have inherited beneficial adaptations show differential reproductive success.

What is artificial selection?

The process by which humans change a species by breeding it for certain traits.

Define heritability.

The ability of a trait to be passed down from one generation to the next.

What are the four main principles of natural selection?

Variation, overproduction, adaptation, and descent with modification.

How did Malthus's theory influence Darwin?

Malthus proposed that resources limited population growth, influencing Darwin's ideas on survival and competition.

What is fitness in a biological context?

A measure of the ability to survive and produce more offspring relative to other members of the population.

What is descent with modification?

The process by which species evolve over time, with characteristics that are well-suited for survival becoming more common.

Give an example of adaptation observed in jaguars.

Jaguars with larger jaws and teeth were better able to eat shelled reptiles, increasing their reproductive success.

What role does the environment play in natural selection?

The environment acts as the selective agent that determines which traits are advantageous for survival.

How can natural selection act on existing variation?

Natural selection can only act on phenotypes; new alleles arise from genetic mutations, not through the action of selection.