PhET Natural Selection

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

What is a selecting factor in the environment?

Back

A selecting factor is an environmental condition that affects the survival and reproduction of organisms, such as food availability or predators.

Front

How does fur color affect rabbit survival?

Back

Fur color can influence a rabbit's ability to camouflage from predators, affecting its chances of survival and reproduction.

Front

What role do predators play in natural selection?

Back

Predators can influence which traits are favorable for survival, leading to changes in the population over time.

Front

What is the significance of genetic variation in a population?

Back

Genetic variation provides a population with a range of traits that can be advantageous in changing environments.

Front

How can environmental changes impact a species?

Back

Environmental changes can alter the selecting factors, leading to shifts in which traits are advantageous for survival.

Front

What is the difference between adaptation and evolution?

Back

Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment, while evolution is the change in the genetic makeup of a population over time.

Front

What is the importance of reproduction in natural selection?

Back

Reproduction allows advantageous traits to be passed on to the next generation, contributing to the evolution of the species.

Front

What is an example of a selecting factor for rabbits?

Back

An example of a selecting factor for rabbits is the type of food available, which can determine which rabbits survive and reproduce.

Front

What happens to a population when a new predator is introduced?

Back

The population may decline if individuals with traits that do not help them evade the new predator are less likely to survive.