Darwinian fitness
Darwinian Fitness
Darwinian fitness (pronounced: dar-WIN-ee-an FIT-ness), also known as Survival of the Fittest, is a concept originating from Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection. The term is used to describe the capability of an individual of certain genotype to reproduce, and it is equal to the genetic contribution of an individual to the next generation's gene pool relative to the average for the population, usually measured by the number of offspring or close kin that survive to reproductive age.
Etymology
The term "Darwinian Fitness" is named after Charles Darwin, the English naturalist who is best known for his contributions to the science of Evolution. The term "fitness" in this context, originates from the phrase "survival of the fittest", a phrase that was coined by Herbert Spencer after reading Darwin's On the Origin of Species.
Related Terms
- Natural Selection: The process in nature by which, according to Darwin's theory of evolution, only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be eliminated.
- Genotype: The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
- Phenotype: The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
- Gene Pool: The stock of different genes in an interbreeding population.
- Reproduction: The production of offspring by a sexual or asexual process.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Darwinian fitness
- Wikipedia's article - Darwinian fitness
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