Natural selection

• Variations

  • caused by random continuous mutations in the genetic information or DNA
  • some mutations confer an advantageous characteristic - can help drive the evolution of a species
• Species

  • a group of organisms that have similar characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring
• hybrids - cannot produce fertile offspring
• Sequence of natural selection

  1)variation exists in a population due to mutations that affect our characteristics

  2)advantageous characteristics help a species survive

  3)survivors have a higher change of reproducing

  4)advantageous characteristic is passed on to their offspring

  5)the frequency of this characteristic in the population increases over time
• Evolution: change in the inherited characteristic of a population
• Natural selection :

  • occurs when a mixed population of a species is faced with an environmental challenge
  • some versions of genes are advantageous and ensure the survival and reproduction of that individual so those genes are passed on to their offspring and kept in the population