Natural Selection

Natural selection is a process in biology where the traits that help an organism to survive and reproduce are more likely to be passed on to the next generation. This process leads to the evolution of species over time as adaptive traits become more common in the population. The concept of natural selection was proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the mid-19th century.

Overview

Natural selection is a key mechanism of evolution. It is the process by which heritable traits that increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction are favoured than less beneficial traits. Over time, this process can lead to adaptations that specialize organisms for particular ecological niches and may eventually result in the emergence of new species.

Mechanism

The mechanism of natural selection involves variation, inheritance, high rate of population growth, and differential survival and reproduction. When these conditions exist, natural selection favours the survival of individuals with the most advantageous characteristics, or traits, and these traits are passed on to the next generation.

Types of Natural Selection

There are three types of natural selection: Directional selection, Stabilizing selection, and Disruptive selection. Each type of selection has a different effect on the distribution of phenotypes within a population.

History

The idea of natural selection was developed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, who were both influenced by the work of earlier scientists such as Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Thomas Malthus.

In Popular Culture

Natural selection has been a recurring theme in various forms of media, including literature, film, and video games. It is often used as a metaphor for social and economic competition.

See Also

• Evolution
• Genetic drift
• Mutation
• Survival of the fittest

References

Natural Selection Resources
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