Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Evolved means that something has changed over time through natural selection and adaptation. It implies that a concept, behavior, or trait has developed and become more complex or refined.
Natural selection is the mechanism through which certain traits are favored in a population because they increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction.
Genetic Variation: Genetic variation refers to the diversity of genes within a population. It provides the raw material for natural selection and allows individuals to possess different traits.
Adaptation refers to any characteristic or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. It is a result of natural selection acting on genetic variation.