Question 34. What is the role of natural selection in evolution?

A. Charles Darwin and Alfred R. Wallace proposed natural selection as the single mechanism for evolution. This was long held to be true, but we now know that there are many kinds of selection and combined with mutations and other factors we now know that there are many mechanisms for evolution.

B. Natural selection requires the following:

a. Individuals of a species vary.

b. Some of the variation is genetic.

c. More offspring are produced than will survive to reproductive age.

d. Individuals with some gene combinations are more likely to survive in a particular environment than others.
 

C. Your text gives several classic examples of natural selection be familiar with them and be able to explain each of them:

a. the peppered moth
b. plant tolerances to toxic metals
c. resistance of organisms to pesticides
d. resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics
 

D. The idea of evolution through natural selection is based upon reproduction, not the largest body size, or most aggressive!!! The most fit individuals leave the most copies of their genes in the next generation.

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