Darwin's Theory of Evolution Show Charles Darwin is renowned in many countries across the globe as the man who developed the Theory of Evolution. His theory sets about explaining the progressive changes that occur within species down the generations, as well as the formation of new species, when environmental pressures have differential effects on the reproductive success of all individuals. Darwin's theory has two aspects to it, namely Natural Selection and Adaptation, that work together to shape the inheritance of alleles (forms of a gene) within a given population. Darwin made the following five fundamental observations, from which three inferences can be drawn. Darwin's observations
Inferences drawn from observations
Natural selection shapes adaptations and differentiates between the reproductive success of individuals. Adaptations are anatomical structures, physiological processes, or patterns of behaviour that contribute to ancestral survival through the unique suitability of those traits / characteristics (Crawford, 1998). There are three key conclusions to be drawn from the theory of evolution:
If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Is natural selection unequal reproductive success?Inferences drawn from observations
This, by definition, is natural selection. The unequal ability between individuals to survive and reproduce will lead to gradual evolution of the population, with favourable characteristics accumulating over the generations through natural selection.
How does natural selection relate to reproductive success?Natural selection is a non-random difference in reproductive output among replicating entities, often due indirectly to differences in survival in a particular environment, leading to an increase in the proportion of beneficial, heritable characteristics within a population from one generation to the next.
What is the unequal success of survival and reproduction in organisms called?In other words: Natural selection is differential success in reproduction ( unequal ability of individuals to survive and reproduce). These organisms that survive and reproduce, pass these beneficial traits onto their offspring.
What effect does unequal reproductive success?Evolution by natural selection
He inferred from these observations that unequal reproductive success occurs – individuals with particular traits (and therefore genetics) are more likely to reproduce young that will themselves go on to reproduce and so on.
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