Describe how the inherited features of a population can evolve over time as a result of natural selection

Sourav PanNovember 4, 2024

Answered

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution that explains how the inherited features of a population can change over time. This process relies on several key components, which can be described as follows:

1. Variation Within Populations

• Genetic Diversity: Within any population, individuals exhibit genetic variation in traits such as size, color, and resistance to disease. This variation is often the result of mutations, genetic recombination during reproduction, and other genetic processes. For example, in a population of beetles, some may be green while others are brown.

2. Production of Many Offspring

• Reproductive Potential: Most organisms produce more offspring than can survive to adulthood due to limited resources. For instance, a single fish may lay thousands of eggs. This high reproductive rate leads to competition among individuals for survival and resources.

3. Struggle for Survival

• Competition for Resources: As populations grow, individuals must compete for limited resources such as food, water, and shelter. Environmental pressures, including predation and disease, further intensify this struggle. For example, in a forest, brown beetles may blend in with the soil better than green beetles, leading to higher survival rates for the brown beetles as they are less likely to be eaten by predators.

4. Reproduction by Better-Adapted Individuals

• Survival of the Fittest: Individuals with traits that provide an advantage in their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. These advantageous traits increase the likelihood of successful reproduction and passing on their alleles to the next generation. Continuing with the beetle example, if brown beetles are better camouflaged and thus survive longer than green beetles, they will reproduce more successfully.

5. Passing on Alleles to Future Generations

• Heritability: The advantageous traits that enhance survival and reproduction are genetically encoded and passed on to offspring. Over generations, these traits become more common within the population due to the differential reproductive success of individuals with those traits. For instance, if brown coloration is genetically inherited, subsequent generations will have an increased proportion of brown beetles compared to green ones.