The document discusses key concepts related to natural selection and evolution, including artificial selection versus natural selection, survival of the fittest, adaptive radiation, divergent evolution, convergent evolution, gradualism, genetic drift, reproductive isolation, and extinction. Natural selection leads to organisms developing traits that help them survive given their environment, while artificial selection involves human-directed changes to organism traits.

1. Selected for Survival Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’ (Andy-Shawshank Redemption)

2. Natural Selection Versus Artificial Selection Artificial Selection: Changing characteristics of organisms by artificial means to attain certain characteristics

3. Natural Selection Versus Artificial Selection Natural selection: A process by which organisms develop characteristics which are beneficial to their survival given biotic and abiotic factors of their environment

4. Survival of the fittest That organism which has traits which better suit it to survive the current conditions is more “Fit” than other organisms…so it survives

5. Fitness Overall health and ability of a population and organisms ability to perpetuate its species. Its traits allow it to out compete other community and population members for food, water, shelter, space

6. Niches A species will have the best chance of survival if it occupies an empty niche.

7. Adaptive Radiation This process is illustrated by the radiating of various species from one central species, due to biotic/abiotic factors. Occurs during reproductive isolation

8. Divergent Evolution Circumstances in environment cause the gradual adaptation of a group of a population in response to differing biotic and abiotic factors. Also occurs during reproductive isolation

9. Divergent Evolution…One more thing Homologous structures: Structures formed on differing populations which are different in form and function due to biotic and abiotic factors but with same origin

10. Convergent Evolution Various species in a common environment develop similar traits as a response to the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment

11. Convergent Evolution…One more thing Analogous structures: Structures which form on different populations of organisms which are similar in form and function but with differring origins

12. Gradualism The concept that evolutionary changes occur over long periods of time Genes: Allows for randomness and similarity within populations

13. Relative Frequency Probability of an alleles presence in a population

14. Genetic Drift Random change in the frequency of a gene

15. Equilibrium Relatively no change in populations adaptations over long stretches of time

16. Speciation Development of new species from existing ones due to evolution. Occurs during reproductive isolation

17. Reproductive Isolation Caused by: Natural catastrophes (fire) Environmental shift Geographical changes

18. Extinction The loss of species due to natural or artificial selection