Final answer:
The mean value of offspring represents reproductive success, while the mean value of the previous generation refers to the average value of a trait before selection. The difference between these values is important in understanding natural selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mean value of offspring refers to the average number of offspring produced by individuals in a population. It represents the reproductive success of individuals in passing on their genes to the next generation.
On the other hand, the mean value of the previous generation refers to the average value of a trait in the parent generation before any selection occurs.
The difference between these two values is important in the context of natural selection, as it helps determine the response to selection and the changes in allele frequencies over time in a population.