Final answer:
The term 'struggle for existence' refers to the competition and challenges faced by organisms in their environment for resources. It plays a crucial role in natural selection and the evolution of favorable traits within a population.
Step-by-step explanation:
Struggle for Existence in the Evolution of Species
In the context of evolution, the term 'struggle for existence' refers to the competition and challenges that organisms face in their environment for resources such as food, water, and mates. This competition plays a crucial role in natural selection, wherein organisms with advantageous traits have a better chance of survival and reproduction, leading to the propagation of those favorable traits within a population.
For example, in a population of birds with varying beak sizes, individuals with beaks better suited for accessing available food sources will have a greater chance of survival and reproduction compared to those with less suitable beaks. Over time, the population will increasingly comprise individuals with favorable beak sizes, resulting in the evolution of beak traits that are better adapted to the available food sources.
Learn more about Evolution of species