Summary
Individuals with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on.
In depth
Darwin and Wallace based it on four observations: organisms overproduce offspring, resources are limited, individuals vary and some variation is heritable. Therefore individuals with advantageous traits leave more offspring, and over generations the trait becomes common.
Selection acts on phenotypes but changes allele frequencies. It is not random, though the variation it acts on arises by chance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Natural Selection?
Individuals with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on.
Which area of biology covers Natural Selection, and how advanced is it?
Natural Selection is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Evolution, Charles Darwin, Variation and Selection Pressure.
Can you give an example of Natural Selection?
Galapagos finch beak depth increased after drought favoured birds able to crack large seeds (Grants' study).
What should I learn before Natural Selection?
Natural Selection is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Evolution that pair well with it include Evolution, Charles Darwin, Adaptation.
What topics are related to Natural Selection?
The closest topics to Natural Selection are Evolution, Charles Darwin, Variation and Selection Pressure, Peppered Moth. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Natural Selection?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Natural Selection. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
How is Natural Selection different from Evolution?
Natural Selection: Individuals with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on. Evolution: Change in the inherited characteristics of populations over successive generations. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Natural Selection step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Evolution and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.