Chapter 15.1, Problem 1NV

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of the terms artificial selection, natural selection and evolution and write a paragraph using these terms.

Explanation of Solution

Artificial selection is a process, in which there is a choice of mates during reproduction. Artificial selection and selective breeding are the techniques used by breeders to produce animals and plants which are economically beneficial for humans.

Natural selection is a process, in which a population is adapted to the changing environment and this population is favored by the nature. The individuals that are able to adapt to the environmental conditions become naturally more viable and can survive better.

Evolution is defined as the variation that occurs due to a change in the hereditary characteristics among biological populations over successive generations. Evolution causes biodiversity among the species and individual organisms.

The natural selection and artificial selection both involved choosing certain traits over others. This causes an increase in the breeding rate of the selected individuals. As the breeding is more for selected individuals, the other members of the species containing less desired traits will decrease in number. This leads to the shifting of the allelic frequency and hence, it leads to evolution.