Question

3 preconditions for natural selection.

1. The trait must be inherited.
2. The trait must show variation between individuals.
3. The environment must exert some pressure for natural selection to act.

Answer 1

Natural selection requires variation in inherited traits within a population, inheritance of these traits, and selective environmental pressures. These elements allow for the differential survival and reproduction of individuals, driving the evolution of populations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Preconditions for Natural Selection

Natural selection is a fundamental concept of evolution, explaining how populations change over time through the differential survival and reproduction of individuals. For natural selection to occur, several preconditions must be met:

1. Variation in inherited traits must exist within a population. These variations arise due to genetic mutations or recombination and provide the material upon which natural selection can act. Without genetic variation, all individuals would be identically equipped to cope with environmental pressures, and no advantageous traits would emerge.
2. These variations must include inherited traits that can be passed from parents to offspring. Traits that are acquired during an individual's life, such as muscle strength from exercise, cannot be passed on genetically and thus do not contribute to natural selection.
3. The environment must apply some form of selective pressure that affects the success of individuals with certain traits. This pressure could come from factors like predators, disease, climate, or competition for resources. Those individuals whose inherited traits provide an advantage under these pressures are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Thus, natural selection leads to the evolution of populations by favoring individuals with advantageous traits, which are then more likely to be passed on to future generations.