N AT U R A L

SELECTION “Survival of the fittest”

C H A R L E S D A RW I N

“Origin of Species”

Natural Selection

Survival of the fittest

N AT U R A L S E L E C T I O N

 It is a mechanism of evolution that states that any organism that is more adapted for the
environment has a better chance of survival and of passing down its genes to their
offspring. 

 process through which populations of living organisms adapt and change

 Individuals with adaptive traits—traits that give them some advantage—are more likely
to survive and reproduce. These individuals then pass the adaptive traits on to their
offspring. 
 When it comes to natural
selection, there are three
different types of selection
that can occur
 S TA B I L I Z I N G S E L E C T I O N

EX: For a plant, the plants that are very

selective pressures (any reason for
organisms with certain phenotypes to have
either a survival benefit or disadvantage.)
working against two extremes of a trait and
therefore the intermediate or “middle” trait
is selected for
tall are exposed to more wind and are at
risk of being blown over. The plants that
are very short fail to get enough sunlight to
prosper. Therefore, the plants that are a
middle height between the two get both
enough sunlight and protection from the
wind.
 DIRECTIONAL SELECTION

Example: Giraffes with the longest

necks are able to reach more leaves to
each. Selective pressures will work in
selective pressures are working in
the advantage of the longer neck
favor of one extreme of a trait
giraffes and therefore the distribution
of the trait within the population will
shift towards the longer neck trait.
 DISRUPTIVE SELECTION

 selective pressures are working in favour of the two extremes and against the intermediate trait

Example: An area that has black, white and grey bunnies contains both black and white rocks.
Both the traits for white and black will be favored by natural selection since they both prove useful
for camouflage. The intermediate trait of grey does not prove as useful and therefore selective
pressures act against the trait.
W H AT I S G E N E T I C VA R I AT I O N ?

 differences between individuals
or to differences between
populations
I N O R D E R F O R N AT U R A L S E L E C T I O N T O O C C U R W E N E E D
G E N E T I C VA R I AT I O N
 The mutation of genes is an important source of genetic variation within a population.

 Mutations can be harmful, neutral, or sometimes helpful, resulting in a new,

advantageous trait.

 When mutations occur in germ cells (eggs and sperm), they can be passed on to
offspring.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VM9YxmULuo
 A RT I F I C I A L
SELECTION

 selective breeding that is

controlled by humans

 Pigeon breeding
 What do you think is an
example of artificial
selection?
I N O R D E R F O R N AT U R A L
SELECTION TO OCCUR,
THE FOLLOWING MUST BE
TRUE:
 1. Organisms must be able to inherit
DNA/Traits form parents
2. Finite (limited) amount of resources so
organisms must compete in order to survive.
3. Reproductive success-organisms that die are
replaced by new organisms (that are born)