Topic 7.1 - Introduction to Natural Selection 𖦹⋆｡°✩ Flashcards
what is evolution
the change in genetic makeup of a population over time
is evolution supported
yes, it is supported by multiple lines of evidence
what drives evolution
natural selection
what is natural selection
the process by which organisms, having adaptations suited fora particular environment, have a greater chance of survival and reproduction, thereby passing the adaptations to subsequent generations
who is credited with developing the theory of natural selection
Charles Darwin
what are the conditions for evolution by natural selection
༻ competition for limited resources
༻ favourable phenotypes
༻ evolutionary fitness
༻ ecosystem stability
what is competition
when organisms struggle with other organisms for limited resources
do all organisms have equal chances for survival
no
what determines how competitive an organism is
differences in phenotype
what do organisms compete for
resources like space, food, mates, nutrients, light
what can phenotypic differences lead to
differential survival
what is variation
genetic differences among organisms within a population
what increases variation within populations
mutations and sexual reproduction
what are adaptations
traits that provide an advantage in a particular environment
what organisms have a greater chance of survival and reproduction
individuals with adaptations
what happens to the number of individuals within a population with adaptations
the number having adaptations increases overtime
what is fitness
the ability of an organism to survive and produce FERTILE offspring
what is reproductive success
the production of offspring
what is heritability
the ability to pass on adaptations to successive generations
what contributes to evolutionary fitness
reproductive success and the heritability of adaptations
can biotic/abiotic environments remain stable
more or less
where are populations less likely to evolve
in environments that remain stable over long periods of time
when is the rate of evolution faster
when the environment is more unstable
