NATURAL SELECTION
Natural selection is the evolutionary change based on the differential reproductive success
of individuals within a species. The theory of this action was expounded by Charles
Darwin and is now believe to be the main process that brings about evolution.
Following are the implications of natural selection. Natural selection is not always
successful in maintaining a species adaptation and survival in the face of environmental
change. If a change is too rapid or too extensive, the natural variation within a species
simply may not be enough to provide any individuals with sufficient reproductive success
to keep the species going. Also, natural variation within a species cannot predict what
environmental change may take place in the future. Adaptation to change is a matter of
luck.
Here are some samples of natural selection:
•Rabbits that can run faster escape foxes more frequently.
•Moths that blend in with bark aren’t found and eaten as often.
•Peacocks with bigger and more beautiful tails get to breed with better peahens.
•Lions that can fight off hyenas and other lions better get to eat more.
Mutations are often regarded as errors because without them nothing would have changed
and the first living things would be the only living things. Mutation in other words adds
genetic variation to a species. Mutations are the price living things pay for the process of
evolution. Because mutations are mistakes, deviations from the normal genetic code –
mutations in coding regions are often deleterious. Such mutations produce a phenotypic
