Natural Selection Flashcards

Which of the following describes a necessary condition for changes in the finch populations to occur?

Which of these would have the least effect on natural selection in a geographically isolated subspecies of giraffes?

What are mutations within a DNA sequence?

Which of the following best illustrates natural selection?

How will genetic drift probably affect a small population of chimpanzees in a stable habitat?

Which of the following is NOT part of Darwin's observations that describe the mechanisms of natural selection?

What did Theodosius Dobzhansky's discovery about successful species help explain?

Natural Selection Concepts

Drier climates on islands led to shifts in finch populations due to limited food resources, favoring finches with specific beak shapes for efficient feeding.
Chromosome number does not significantly influence natural selection, particularly in isolated giraffe subspecies.
DNA mutations are natural events that generate genetic diversity, essential for natural selection to function effectively.

Mechanisms of Natural Selection

Organisms exhibiting favorable genetic traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, illustrating the concept of natural selection.
A prolonged stable habitat for a small chimpanzee population may result in reduced genetic diversity due to genetic drift, which changes allele frequencies randomly over time.

Darwin's Contributions

Charles Darwin, in "On the Origin of the Species," detailed species evolution over time but did not specifically characterize the process of natural selection as the descent of species with modifications from ancestors.

Genetic Diversity and Adaptation

Theodosius Dobzhansky found that species with higher genetic diversity are better equipped to adapt to environmental changes, ensuring their survival amidst fluctuations in habitat conditions.

Dive into the principles of natural selection with these flashcards focusing on case studies like the finch populations on an island. Understand how changing environments and limited resources can impact species survival and evolution. Perfect for biology students looking to enhance their knowledge of evolutionary processes.