key term - Natural Selection

Definition

Natural selection is the process by which certain traits become either more or less common in a population over time. It is the fundamental mechanism of evolution, as it allows organisms with advantageous traits to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to future generations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Natural selection acts on the variation that exists within a population, favoring individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment.
2. Organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring.
3. Over time, this process can lead to the emergence of new species and the adaptation of existing species to their environments.
4. Natural selection is a key mechanism by which asexual prokaryotes, such as bacteria, can achieve genetic diversity within a population.
5. Mutations and horizontal gene transfer can introduce new genetic variation into asexual prokaryotic populations, which can then be acted upon by natural selection.

Review Questions

• Explain how natural selection can lead to increased genetic diversity in asexual prokaryotic populations.
  • In asexual prokaryotes, such as bacteria, natural selection acts on the genetic variation that arises through random mutations and horizontal gene transfer. Individuals with beneficial mutations or acquired genes are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to their offspring. Over successive generations, this process can result in the emergence of diverse genetic lineages within the population, as different traits are selected for in response to changing environmental conditions or challenges.
• Describe the role of variation in the process of natural selection and its impact on the genetic diversity of asexual prokaryotes.
  • Variation is a crucial component of natural selection, as it provides the raw material upon which selection can act. In asexual prokaryotes, genetic variation arises primarily through random mutations and the acquisition of new genetic material via horizontal gene transfer. These sources of variation introduce differences in traits among individuals within the population. Natural selection then favors those individuals with traits that are best suited to the current environment, allowing them to survive and reproduce more successfully. As this process continues over multiple generations, the genetic diversity of the asexual prokaryotic population increases, as different lineages emerge with unique combinations of advantageous traits.
• Analyze how the interplay between natural selection, genetic variation, and asexual reproduction in prokaryotes can contribute to the development of diverse genetic lineages.
  • The combination of natural selection, genetic variation, and asexual reproduction in prokaryotes creates a powerful mechanism for the generation of genetic diversity. Asexual reproduction allows for the rapid replication and propagation of individuals, while mutations and horizontal gene transfer introduce new genetic variation into the population. Natural selection then acts on this variation, favoring individuals with traits that are better suited to the current environment. Over successive generations, this process can lead to the emergence of diverse genetic lineages within the asexual prokaryotic population, as different combinations of advantageous traits are selected for and maintained. This adaptive flexibility is a key advantage of asexual prokaryotes, allowing them to thrive in a wide range of environments and respond to changing conditions through the generation of new, genetically distinct subpopulations.

Related terms

Variation: The differences that exist between individuals of the same species, which can be inherited.

Adaptation: A characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Fitness: The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in a given environment.