Chapter 3, Problem 1TYC

To determine

To explain: The concept of natural selection and the common observations of natural selection in the nature.

Answer to Problem 1TYC

The natural selection is the primary mechanism of evolution. In this process, the organisms which are better, tend to survive, reproduce, and can adapt to environment are selected. The nature always selects the best individuals or fittest individuals. In natural selection, there is only survival of the fittest.

Natural selection lies on the ideas that more individuals are born into a population than will survive to reproduce; that variation exists within the population; that some of that variation affects both reproduction and survival and is hereditary; and that Earth is ancient. As the above ideas are true, then the individuals with favorable characteristics are more likely to reproduce and pass the genes for those favorable traits along to the next generation.

Explanation of Solution

The natural selection is the main process that brings evolution. The process in which the organisms are better adapted to their environment, tend to survive and reproduce more to produce more offspring. The concept of natural selection was first proposed by Charles Darwin in the 1850’s and it offers a powerful explanation for patterns that are evident in nature.

The concept of natural selection uncovered, a precise and viable mechanism to explain better that the way the organisms evolve through time. Natural selection acts on genetic variation and mutations that have little effect provide the genetic variation on which natural selection acts.

Every adaptation of every organism is the result of natural selection that is all around. The natural selection can cause closely related species to diverge and the distantly related species to converge.

The natural selection process is as follows:

(1.) Every organism faces a constant struggle to survive and reproduce.

(2.) Every organism tends to produce more offspring that can survive to maturity.

(3.) Individuals of a species vary in their attributes.

Variations are due to differences in genes, the environments where the genes are expressed, and the interactions between environment and the genes. Because of this variation, some individuals of a species will be well suited to their environment than others and hence will live longer and will be able to reproduce better.

The common observations of natural selection in nature:

(1.) Humans have evolved and are still evolving. There are some people in Africa which are more resistant to malaria.

(2.) Some species of humans become lactose intolerant and some do not.

(3.) In one ecosystem, lizards that had long legs could climb better to avoid floods and reach food.