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Survival of the Fittest

Definition

Survival of the fittest is a concept originating from Darwinian evolutionary theory, describing the mechanism by which natural selection promotes traits advantageous for survival and reproduction.

Analogy

Imagine you're competing in a reality TV show like Survivor. The contestants who can best adapt to their surroundings, find food, build shelter, etc., are most likely going to be around longer - they are deemed 'the fittest'.

Related terms

Fitness (Biology): In biology, fitness means reproductive success and reflects how well an organism is adapted to its environment. It’s like being voted “most likely to succeed” at Nature’s high school reunion!

Variation: Differences between individuals within a species due to genetic differences. It's like having different flavors of ice cream - each one is unique, but they're all still ice cream.

Competition: The struggle between organisms to survive as they attempt to use the same limited resources. It’s like a fierce game of musical chairs where everyone is trying to claim a spot when the music stops.