Types of Selection

Front

What is stabilizing selection?

Back

A type of natural selection that favors average individuals in a population, reducing variation and maintaining the status quo.

Front

Give an example of stabilizing selection.

Back

In a population of turtles, average-sized turtles have higher fitness because small turtles are vulnerable to predators and large turtles are too slow.

Front

What is directional selection?

Back

A type of natural selection that favors one extreme phenotype over others, causing a shift in the population's traits.

Front

Provide an example of directional selection.

Back

Overfishing larger salmon leads to a population where smaller salmon are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Front

What is disruptive selection?

Back

A type of natural selection that favors individuals at both extremes of a trait, leading to increased variation.

Front

Give an example of disruptive selection.

Back

In a population of finches, after a fire, only small and large seeds are available, favoring birds with either small or large beaks.

Front

What is the role of camouflage in stabilizing selection?

Back

Camouflage helps average individuals blend into their environment, increasing their chances of survival.

Front

How does stabilizing selection affect genetic variation?

Back

It reduces genetic variation by favoring average traits and eliminating extremes.

Front

What is the impact of environmental changes on selection types?

Back

Environmental changes can shift the type of selection occurring, such as moving from stabilizing to disruptive selection.

Front

What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?

Back

Artificial selection is human-directed breeding for specific traits, while natural selection is the process by which traits become more or less common due to natural environmental pressures.