What is natural selection? List the main concepts of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
Natural selection is key mechanism in evolution. It is a process where organisms better adapt their environment, and they tend to survive and produce more offspring’s.
The main concepts of Darwin’s theory of natural selection are as follows:
i. Variation - Within a population, some traits can be expressed in various ways and make individuals look and behave differently.
ii. Inheritance - Heritable traits are transmitted to the next generation.
iii. The high rate of population’s growth - At each generation, the population produces more offspring than what the local environment can support. It leads to substantial mortality.
iv. Differential survival and reproduction - Individuals with the best combination of traits to survive in the actual environment will produce more offsprings for the next generation.