22 - Adaptation and its Limits Flashcards
1
Q
What does natural selection require?
A
- variation
- some of that variation is heritable
- affects survival and reproduction
2
Q
What is the difference between adaptive and maladaptive?
A
adaptive - enhances fitness
maladaptive - reduces fitness
3
Q
What is the definition of an adaptation?
A
a trait that allows individuals to leave more offspring than individuals without that trait
4
Q
What is the adaptions programme?
A
asks what a trait is for or how it enhances fitness
5
Q
What is adaptive storytelling?
A
giving a possible story for the adaptive significance of a trait without demonstrating adaptation
6
Q
How do you avoid adaptive storytelling?
A
- exptation - performs a current function different to the original one
- result of laws of physics or chemistry
- no heritability
- historical constraint - evolution can only work on what was there already
