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5.2: Natural Selection

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Define "variation."


Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
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Define "variation."


Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Biological variation is the genetic differences among individuals. The genetic difference can produce differences in observable phenotypes and be inherited between generations.
Image: *Define "variation."* Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Define "natural selection."


Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Natural selection is a process of evolution in which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Image: *Define "natural selection."* Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Outline the process of evolution through natural selection.


Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
1. populations produce more offspring than can survive;

2. individuals show variation in heritable traits;

3. there is a struggle for survival, often due to competition for resources;

4. some individuals are better suited to the environment and survive;

5. the most fit individuals survive to reproduce;

6. the advantageous variation is passed on to the next generation;

7. over time, the advantageous variation increases in frequency in the population;
Image: *Outline the process of evolution through natural selection.* Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Define "species."


Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
The biological species concept defines a species as organisms that can (actually or potentially) interbreed with each other to produce fertile offspring and cannot breed with others. In other words, the organisms of the species are reproductively isolated.
Image: *Define "species."* Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Explain why natural selection can only function if there is variation in a species.


Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.
Natural selection acts on the genetic variation between individuals in a population. Some individuals will have advantageous variations that are better adapted to the environmental conditions. Individuals with the beneficial variation will have a greater chance of survival and reproduction than others. The favorable genetic variation will be inherited by offspring in the next generation.
Image: *Explain why natural selection can only function if there is variation in a species.* Understanding: Natural selection can only occur if there is variation among members of the same species.