Evolutionary Role of Directional Selection: Adapting to Changing Environments

Directional selection

Form of natural selection in which the entire curve moves; occurs when individuals at one end of a distribution curve have higher fitness than individuals in the middle or at the other end of the curve

Directional selection is a type of natural selection that occurs when the environmental conditions result in the selection of individuals with traits that are at one extreme of the range of variation within a population. This means that individuals that possess characteristics that are suited to the current environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than those with other traits.

For example, if a population of birds lives in an environment with larger seeds available for food, then birds with larger beaks are likely to have an advantage over those with smaller beaks. As a result, the larger beak trait will become more prevalent in the population because those birds that possess it will be more successful in survival and reproduction.

Directional selection can lead to changes in the frequency of specific alleles in a population, resulting in evolution over time. It occurs when the environment changes or when a population migrates to a new environment with different conditions. Overall, directional selection can play an important role in shaping the evolution of species and their response to changing environmental conditions.

More Answers:

Alleles: The Variant Forms of Genes and their Inheritance in Genetics
Discovering the Fundamental Laws of Inheritance: The Legacy of Gregor Mendel – The Father of Modern Genetics
The Power of Stabilizing Selection in Shaping Traits: An Exploration of Natural Selection’s Effect on Genetic Diversity and Population Dynamics.

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