Chapter 3, Problem 1TYC

To determine

The concept of natural selection and also to explain how it follows from a few common observation of nature.

Answer to Problem 1TYC

Natural selection is a process that causes population to change over a period of time.

Explanation of Solution

Natural selection is a process of evolution in which organisms that are most adapted to their environment will mate each other to pass on their genes to next generation. Inherent characteristic in the generation makes the survival and reproductive success of organism in the environment.

Evolution involves change in allele frequency that involves gene flow through the exchange of genes among the population through interbreeding. If this gene flow occurs for a long term, it can reduce the genetic variation among the population and slow down the process of evolution.

Natural selection follows the common observation in nature, which are as follows;

1. Different individuals have different characteristics even if they are of same species; In term of fitness, appearance and functioning.

2. Some organisms reproduce a large number of offspring, in which only some of them make the survival to the maturity.

3. Continuous competition for reproduction, and survival among the individuals of a species in environment.