Questions and Answers
Which of the following are types of patterns of selection? (Select all that apply)
What is stabilizing selection?
Occurs when individuals at the extremes of the range of characteristics are selected against, favoring average individuals.
Provide an example of stabilizing selection.
Brown mice being selected for, while white and black mice are selected against.
What is directional selection?
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Provide an example of directional selection.
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What is disruptive selection?
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Provide an example of disruptive selection.
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Study Notes
Patterns of Selection
- Three main types of patterns of selection: Stabilizing Selection, Directional Selection, and Disruptive Selection.
Stabilizing Selection
- Selection against individuals at the extremes of a characteristic, favoring the average individuals.
- Results in reduced variation within the population, as extremes are less likely to survive.
Example of Stabilizing Selection
- Brown mice are favored over white and black mice.
- White and black mice are more easily spotted by predators, leading to their decreased survival.
- Over time, the population predominantly consists of brown mice.
Directional Selection
- Occurs when one extreme of a characteristic is favored in response to environmental changes.
- Leads to a shift in the population's characteristics over generations.
Example of Directional Selection
- Insecticide use results in the selection of resistant individuals.
- Initially, only a few resistant individuals exist, but over time, the population predominantly consists of resistant traits due to survival advantages.
Disruptive Selection
- Selection favors both extremes of a characteristic while the intermediate is selected against.
- This type of selection can lead to speciation by promoting diversity within a population.
Example of Disruptive Selection
- In insects inhabiting plants with either dark green or light green leaves, medium green insects are more vulnerable to predation.
- Medium green insects are more likely to be eaten, resulting in a population skewed towards the extremes of coloration (dark green or light green).
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Description
Explore the three main types of patterns of selection: Stabilizing selection, Directional selection, and Disruptive selection. This set of flashcards will help you understand each type and provide examples to enhance your learning experience.
