Biological Fitness – AP Biology Flashcard

The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment, contributing genes to the next generation.

Fitness is crucial for natural selection, as it determines which traits are passed on in a population.

Fitness encompasses more than survival; it also includes reproductive success.

The environment influences which traits are considered advantageous for fitness.

Giraffes with longer necks can reach higher foliage, increasing their food intake and fitness.

A trait beneficial in one environment may be disadvantageous in another.

The process by which organisms with favorable traits reproduce more successfully than others.

Fitness is often measured by an organism’s reproductive output compared to others in the population.

Variation in DNA sequences provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.

Mutations can introduce new traits, some of which may enhance fitness in changing environments.

Bacteria that develop resistance to antibiotics demonstrate rapid evolutionary changes in fitness.

Observations of finches on the Galapagos Islands show how beak shape affects fitness based on food availability.

Fitness can be influenced by predator-prey interactions, such as camouflage in prey species.

Mice with coat colors that blend with their environment have higher fitness due to reduced predation.

Organisms that successfully reproduce pass on their advantageous traits to the next generation.

In modern environments, traits like fat storage can shift from advantageous to detrimental.

Observable characteristics influenced by genotype and environment that can affect fitness.

Different niches can shape the traits that enhance fitness for specific organisms in an ecosystem.

The process through which organisms develop traits that enhance their fitness in specific environments.

Visual representations of how different traits perform in various environmental conditions.

Changes in environmental conditions exert pressure on populations, shaping their fitness.

Geographic separation can lead to divergent evolution and varying fitness traits in populations.

Random changes in allele frequencies can affect fitness, particularly in small populations.

Fitness traits that are heritable can be passed on to offspring, impacting future generations.

Longer necks in giraffes provide an advantage in foraging for high leaves, illustrating fitness.