Natural Selection Flashcardizz

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of species.

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What is a mutation?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism that can lead to new traits, which may affect the organism's survival and reproduction.

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What is adaptation?

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Adaptation refers to inherited traits that improve an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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How does natural selection lead to evolution?

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Natural selection leads to evolution by favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction, causing those traits to become more common in a population over generations.

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What happens to a population when a predator disappears?

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When a predator disappears, the population of its prey (e.g., moths) is likely to increase, regardless of their color.

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What is the role of competition in natural selection?

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Competition for resources (like food, mates, and habitat) drives natural selection, as organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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What is the difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

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Natural selection occurs through environmental pressures, while artificial selection is driven by human choices in breeding organisms for desired traits.

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What is the significance of genetic variation in a population?

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Genetic variation is crucial for natural selection, as it provides the raw material for evolution, allowing populations to adapt to changing environments.

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What is the concept of survival of the fittest?

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Survival of the fittest refers to the idea that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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What is speciation?

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Speciation is the process by which new species arise from existing species, often due to genetic divergence and reproductive isolation.