natural selection
A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment.
Natural selection refers to the process by which species evolve and adapt to changes in their environment over time. The driving force behind natural selection is competition for limited resources, such as food, water and mates. Individuals that possess traits that make them more successful in obtaining resources are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits on to future generations.
Over time, as the environment changes, so too do the traits that confer success. Consider the example of the peppered moth during the industrial revolution in England. Prior to this time, the majority of peppered moths had light-colored wings that blended in with their surroundings, helping them to evade predators. However, with the advent of industrial pollution, the tree trunks that the moths rested on became darkened, making the previously inconspicuous light-colored moths more visible to predators. As a result, dark-colored moths began to predominate, as their coloration made them better camouflaged against the dark trees.
This example shows how natural selection can drive evolutionary change within a relatively short timeframe. Ultimately, the goal of natural selection is to ensure that a species is well adapted to its environment so that it can survive and thrive.
More Answers:
The Founder Effect: Understanding the Impact of Limited Genetic Variation on Populations and its Practical Implications in MedicineUnderstanding Genetic Drift: The Effect of Chance on Gene Frequency in Populations.
The Five Fingers of Evolution: A Comprehensive Explanation of the Key Drivers of Evolutionary Change