Natural Selection
Natural Selection
Natural selection is said to be one of the basis mechanisms of evolution, how it works is simple,
1, there are variations in traits, - in any population there are variations in species colour, size, strength, fighting ability, now imagine a population of beetles some green some brown. Seen in image below (Paleontology, n.d.)
2, there is differential reproduction – being as any environment cannot support unlimited population growth, meaning not all individuals get the chance to reproduce to their full potential, example birds eating them and preferring to take just the green beetles, and leaving more of the brown beetles alive. Seen in image below (Paleontology, n.d.)
3, their heredity, - the surviving brown beetles reproduce and have brown babies because this trait has a genetic basis Seen in image below. (Paleontology, n.d.)
4, end result – the more advantageous trait, brown coloration has become more common with in the population if this process was to continue then eventually all the beetles would be brown. Seen in image below (Paleontology, n.d.)
If you have variation, differential reproduction, and heredity, you will get evolution by natural selection as an outcome. (Paleontology, n.d.)
Natural selection has advantages and disadvantages on of the main being that all members of a population though they look alike and have many features in common they are not identical, variations occur can form due to mutations and create new forms of genes, to eb inherited by the next generation.
In the course of natural selection a reproducing parents can select for the best characteristics of their selective suitors, be that an ability to avoid predation, compete strongly for food, or resist disease, this process ensure most members of a species are well adapted to their environment, and respond to change.
However natural selection can only work when the individuals are different and have traits to select for so in cases of breeding programs and captivity, this process is lost so the animals reproducing may not be the best or the strongest or the fittest, this will then pass to the offspring producing disadvantaged offspring and so on and so on through the generations.
Natural selection is said to be one of the basis mechanisms of evolution, how it works is simple,
1, there are variations in traits, - in any population there are variations in species colour, size, strength, fighting ability, now imagine a population of beetles some green some brown. Seen in image below (Paleontology, n.d.)
2, there is differential reproduction – being as any environment cannot support unlimited population growth, meaning not all individuals get the chance to reproduce to their full potential, example birds eating them and preferring to take just the green beetles, and leaving more of the brown beetles alive. Seen in image below (Paleontology, n.d.)
3, their heredity, - the surviving brown beetles reproduce and have brown babies because this trait has a genetic basis Seen in image below. (Paleontology, n.d.)
4, end result – the more advantageous trait, brown coloration has become more common with in the population if this process was to continue then eventually all the beetles would be brown. Seen in image below (Paleontology, n.d.)
If you have variation, differential reproduction, and heredity, you will get evolution by natural selection as an outcome. (Paleontology, n.d.)
Natural selection has advantages and disadvantages on of the main being that all members of a population though they look alike and have many features in common they are not identical, variations occur can form due to mutations and create new forms of genes, to eb inherited by the next generation.
In the course of natural selection a reproducing parents can select for the best characteristics of their selective suitors, be that an ability to avoid predation, compete strongly for food, or resist disease, this process ensure most members of a species are well adapted to their environment, and respond to change.
However natural selection can only work when the individuals are different and have traits to select for so in cases of breeding programs and captivity, this process is lost so the animals reproducing may not be the best or the strongest or the fittest, this will then pass to the offspring producing disadvantaged offspring and so on and so on through the generations.
Evaluation
Natural selection has advantages and disadvantages on of the main being that all members of a population though they look alike and have many features in common they are not identical, variations occur can form due to mutations and create new forms of genes, to eb inherited by the next generation.
In the course of natural selection a reproducing parents can select for the best characteristics of their selective suitors, be that an ability to avoid predation, compete strongly for food, or resist disease, this process ensure most members of a species are well adapted to their environment, and respond to change.
However natural selection can only work when the individuals are different and have traits to select for so in cases of breeding programs and captivity, this process is lost so the animals reproducing may not be the best or the strongest or the fittest, this will then pass to the offspring producing disadvantaged offspring and so on and so on through the generations.