Natural Selection
Natural Selection is a fundamental concept in the field of Biology, specifically within the study of Evolution.
Pronunciation
- /ˈnætʃ(ə)rəl sɪˈlɛkʃ(ə)n/
Etymology
The term "Natural Selection" was first coined by Charles Darwin in his 1859 book, "On the Origin of Species". The term is derived from the English words "natural", meaning occurring in nature, and "selection", meaning the act of choosing or selecting.
Definition
Natural Selection is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population due to the effects of inherited traits on the differential reproductive success of organisms interacting with their environment. It is a key mechanism of Evolution.
Related Terms
- Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
- Adaptation: The process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.
- Survival of the Fittest: A phrase that originated from Darwinian evolutionary theory as a way of describing the mechanism of natural selection.
- Genetic Drift: Variation in the relative frequency of different genotypes in a small population, owing to the chance disappearance of particular genes as individuals die or do not reproduce.
- Mutation: The changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Natural Selection
- Wikipedia's article - Natural Selection
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