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Natural Selection
Natural selection is a function of evolution. It involves biological traits becoming more or less prominent depending on the needs and environment of a specific species.
666 Questions
Why is koobi fora site important?
Koobi Fora is important because it is a significant paleoanthropological site in Kenya, known for the discovery of numerous hominin fossils, including those of Homo habilis and Homo erectus. These findings have contributed valuable insights into human evolution, behavior, and adaptation in East Africa over millions of years. Additionally, the site's geological formations have provided researchers with a wealth of information on past environments and climate change.
A short definition for natural selection?
Natural selection is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring. Over time, this leads to the evolution of a population with traits that are better suited to their environment.
What are the 3 key points in Neo-Darwinism?
- Natural selection is the main mechanism driving evolution by favoring individuals with advantageous traits.
- Genetic mutations and recombination provide the raw material for variation upon which natural selection acts.
- Evolution occurs gradually over long periods of time through the accumulation of small genetic changes in populations.
Is there a difference in evolution theory between neo Darwinism and Darwinism theory?
Well a simplified definition of evolution is a process of something changing over time. Darwinian evolution (or biological evolution) pertains to the changing of species over time through the genes, its a chemical and physical process that has to do mainly with the fields of biology, chemistry, and for a smaller extent (though my field) psychology and the social sciences. It's refered to as "darwinian" evolution because Charles Darwin first proposed the idea of evolution by natural selection as a way of explaining the varieties of the species. Cultural evolution refers to the changing of cultures over time. A big proponent of this field is Daniel Dennett who refers to "memes" (originally coined by Richard Dawkins) as the cultural counterpart to genes. Cultural evolutionists argue that cultural phenomon such as fads, sayings, language, or beliefs also undergo a "natural selection" of a sort by having to be continually reproduced or else they are forgotten (the meme equivalent to a species going extinct).
How are selective breeding and natural selection similar?
Both selective breeding and natural selection involve the process of selecting specific traits to pass on to the next generation. In both cases, the environment plays a role in determining which traits are favored for survival and reproduction. The main difference is that selective breeding is a human-directed process, while natural selection occurs in the wild without human intervention.
Where did the court case of Fundamentalism verses Darwinism name the case and where it took place?
There have been a number of such cases. For a list of a few of them, look at the links below. This list excludes one of the first of such cases: the Scopes Trial, back in 1925, Dayton, Tennessee.
Why is media selection so important?
Media selection is important because it determines how information is presented and consumed by the audience. The choice of media can affect the reach, engagement, and effectiveness of a message. Different media have different strengths and limitations that can impact the overall communication strategy.
Why should replenishment lead time be considered in supplier selection decisions?
Replenishment lead time is important in supplier selection decisions because it directly impacts inventory levels and customer service. A shorter lead time allows for faster response to changes in demand and helps reduce inventory carrying costs. It also helps in minimizing stockouts and improving overall supply chain efficiency.
Selection is the process of elimination justify?
Selection involves reviewing and comparing candidates based on certain criteria to identify the most suitable individual for a role. Through elimination, unsuitable candidates are ruled out, allowing the most qualified and compatible candidate to be chosen. This process ensures that the selected individual is a good fit for the position and organization.
Was Andrew carnegie a leading spokesman against Darwinism?
No, Andrew Carnegie was not known for being a leading spokesman against Darwinism. While he had some reservations about the application of Darwin's theories to society, he was not a vocal opponent of Darwinism. Carnegie was more focused on issues related to business, philanthropy, and social reform.
Sickle cell anemia in natural selection?
The genetic 'mutation' (or phenotype/genotype) that causes sickle-cell anemia didn't originate as a response to malaria. It happened and happens randomly, by simple chance. As malaria epidemics would strike some area, the people who didn't have the mutation would be less likely to survive. Thus the percent of people that had the mutation would increase, and (since it is genetic/hereditary) the percentage would quickly increase. In places where malaria was a regular hazard, the people who lacked the mutation would be rapidly selected out as the percentage of those with the mutation would have so strong a survival advantage.
The advantage was and is profound. Granted, the disease comes with a truly dreadful down-side. Regrettably, since the mutation doesn't kill you off before reproductive age, the selective pressure is simply "positive" so it only grants what seems like a genetic advantage.
What are the factors that affect the selection of equipment?
Factors that affect the selection of equipment include budget constraints, technical specifications and requirements, available space, compatibility with existing systems, energy efficiency, ease of maintenance, and warranty and after-sales support. It's important to consider these factors to ensure the chosen equipment meets operational needs and provides long-term value.
Natural selection is also known as the survival of the what?
Natural selection is also known as the survival of the fittest. It is a process where organisms with advantageous traits for their environment tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than those without such traits.
Who came up with the term natural selection?
The term "natural selection" was coined by Charles Darwin in his book "On the Origin of Species" published in 1859. Darwin used this term to describe the process by which organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their traits to future generations.
Who invented natural selection?
Evolution is what happens when organisms reproduce with variation of traits, and those variant traits are inherited by further offspring. It is the observed effect of the differential reproductive success of variants. Therefore, in order to have evolution, one single condition needs to be met: that autonomous replicators exist that reproduce with variation. The question therefore becomes: where did life originate from?
Define the Mechanism of natural selection?
As nature changes (think of weather, season, natural disaster and the way species eat each other) certain element of nature will go extinct causing the species that fail to reduce their dependency on that extinct element perish as well.
Put it on a modern perspective...
How bright and or a hard working students will get all the priviledges and leave the underachiever to find their own way also a kind of "natural selection". Students that fail to change their behaviour to work harder or smarter will have a more challenging life.
Did Stephen Jay Gould say that fossil evidence completely contradicts natural selection?
Answer 1
Although Gould was often quote-mined by creationists suggesting that Gould thought that the fossil evidence did not support common descent, none of this relates in any way to natural selection, the proposed mechanism for evolution.
Answer 2
No. Stephen Jay Gould said that natural selection was the best explanation for the evolution of species. However, he differed from Charles Darwin in his understanding of the process.
Whereas Darwin appears to have expected that evolution would be a gradual, continuous process, Gould suggested a process of punctuated equilibrium. He said that species were more likely to have remained relatively unchanged for long periods until a period of rapid evolution resulted in the evolution of new species. He felt that this was more consistent with the fossil record.
Answer 3
As a palaeontologist by profession this was Gould's area of expertise. Although revered as a great scientist Gould has received some attention from creationists for parts of his comments on the nature of the fossil record. He is quote-mined as referring to the fossil record in relation to evolution in the following way:
"The absence of fossil evidence for intermediary stages between major transitions in organic design, indeed our inability, even in our imagination, to construct functional intermediates in many cases, has been a persistent and nagging problem for gradualistic accounts of evolution."
Stephen Jay Gould (Professor of Geology and Paleontology, Harvard University), 'Is a new and general theory of evolution emerging?' Paleobiology, vol.6(1), January 1980,p. 127.
"All paleontologists know that the fossil record contains precious little in the way of intermediate forms; transitions between the major groups are characteristically abrupt."
Stephen Jay Gould 'The return of hopeful monsters'. Natural History, vol. LXXXVI(6), June-July 1977, p. 24.
"The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology. The evolutionary trees that adorn our textbooks have data only at the tips and nodes of their branches; the rest is inference, however reasonable, not the evidence of fossils. Yet Darwin was so wedded to gradualism that he wagered his entire theory on a denial of this literal record:
The geological record is (here Gould is quoting Darwin) extremely imperfect and this fact will to a large extent explain why we do not find intermediate varieties, connecting together all the extinct and existing forms of life by the finest graduated steps. He who rejects these views on the nature of the geological record will rightly reject my whole theory. (end of quote)
Darwin's argument still persists as the favored escape of most paleontologists from the embarrassment of a record that seems to show so little of evolution. In exposing its cultural and methodological roots, I wish in no way to impugn the potential validity of gradualism (for all general views have similar roots). I wish only to point out that it was never "seen" in the rocks.
Paleontologists have paid an exorbitant price for Darwin's argument. We fancy ourselves as the only true students of life's history, yet to preserve our favored account of evolution by natural selection we view our data as so bad that we never see the very process we profess to study."
Stephen Jay Gould 'Evolution's erratic pace'. Natural History, vol. LXXXVI95), May 1977, p.14.
Gould's commitment to Darwinian evolution followed from an understanding and knowledge of the fossil record that belies the literal text of the quotes lifted out of context by creationists. What the evidence shows is clear from the completestatements of Gould and many other palaeontologists in their proper context, no matter what creationists make of them.
What is the unit of natural selection?
This is a bone of contention among some biologists, Some say that the individual organism is the smallest unit upon which natural selection directly acts and some say it is the gene.
I would check your textbook to see which way this wind blows, but most texts I have seen, or used, generally, say that the individual organism, or the individuals organism's phenotype is that which natural selection acts directly on. Of course, texts are conservative in their outlook.
Something funny here about attribution of answer, so I write this to get this answer under my user name.
What scene from this selection lingers your mind?
I'm unable to recall specific scenes from texts or provide detailed summaries. However, if you can provide the selection or book you are referring to, I could help generate a brief overview or analysis.
Staff selection refers to the process of identifying and choosing suitable candidates to fill job vacancies within an organization. This process typically involves activities such as job posting, screening resumes, conducting interviews, and making final selection decisions. The goal of staff selection is to find the best fit between the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience, and the requirements of the position.
The vendor selection process in supply chain involves identifying potential vendors, evaluating their capabilities, negotiating terms, and making a final selection based on specific criteria such as quality, lead time, reliability, cost, and service level agreements. While unit price is an important factor, it should not be the sole criterion for selecting suppliers as other factors like quality, reliability, and vendor reputation can have significant impacts on overall supply chain performance. A balanced approach that considers a combination of cost, quality, and other factors is recommended for effective vendor selection.
Why do we care about variation in natural selection?
Variation is necessary for species to adapt and evolve new mechanisms or helpful alterations. Lets say a plague is killing an animal species - out of hundreds of millions of random genetic mutations (variations) in that generation (assuming there are at least a million or so of that species) some of those might make some of the species more resistent or even immune to that disease. Those animals' offspring will survive longer and reproduce more, and eventually their offspring will outnumber the non-resistent non-immune population, in effect replacing a weaker species with a slightly stronger, more sophisticated one.
That is natural selection, and it doesn't work without random genetic variations for environmental pressures to "select".
What does Darwinism universal acid mean regarding worldview and culture?
This refers to the far-reaching impact of Darwinism. It has been shown to be influencing ideas seemingly far removed from the scientific sphere in which it originated. The idea of a 'Universal Acid' is that 'Darwin's dangerous idea' as Daniel Dennett called it (in his book by this name) has had a corrosive effect in relation to religion, philosophy and human morals which have 'eaten away' as acid does on much that existed previously. One way it has done this is to remove, for many, the solid basis for both religion and morality previously held.
Did natural selection give rise to our ability to drive automobiles?
No, our ability to drive automobiles is not a trait that has evolved through natural selection. Driving is a learned skill and is not influenced by genetic traits that are subject to natural selection.
How was Charles Darwin's theories of natural selection were apllied to social Darwinism?
It wasn't!
Social Darwinism is a concept developed by Herbert Spencer and has nothing to do with the biological theory of evolution by natural selection. It is a Landmarkian concept in a fashion as groups compete with groups and acquired group superiority's are passed on. Also, the theory of evolution by natural selection is a individual selection theory, basically, and has nothing to do with group selection of this nature. Darwin was not pleased by this Spencerian corruption of his theory.
PS: I, personally, am appalled that this nonsense is still being taught in schools. Tell your teacher ( sociology, perhaps? ) to get a clue!
