Explain below the increase in the number of black squirrels using the ideas of natural selection.
Write about:
- Variation
- Competition
- Survival
- Reproduction
Answer (3)
Evolution is defined as the change in heritable traits in a biological population over several generations.
Mechanisms of Evolution
Natural selection is defined as the process by which living organisms adapt and change based on environmental conditions .
For example, in an industrial surrounding having populations of black and white squirrels can show natural selection . Black squirrels will camouflage with the black smoke and will be naturally selected over white squirrels .
Genetic Variation is defined as the change or difference in the genetic sequence of populations. Genetic variation leads to natural selection, a mechanism for evolution .
Survival of the fittest is a term that originated in the Theory of Evolution . It states that the organisms better suited to the environment will have higher chances of survival and reproduction .
Also, the reproduction mode known as syngenesis leads to genetic diversity among organisms. Thus, it also contributes to evolution .
Thus, natural selection , genetic diversity, and survival of the fittest are the mechanisms of evolution .
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The increase in the number of black squirrels can be explained using the principles of natural selection. Initially, there must be genetic variation within the squirrel population; some of these squirrels may have genes that produce a black coat. If the environment favors darker-colored squirrels, perhaps because they are better camouflaged from predators, these black squirrels are likely to survive longer and have more chances to reproduce. Over time, due to competition for resources and survival advantages, more black squirrels will continue to reproduce, passing the advantageous trait to their offspring. This leads to a larger population of black squirrels in the following generations, which is an example of descent with modification. For instance, a parallel can be drawn from the case of the peppered moth during the Industrial Revolution. Initially, lighter-colored moths camouflaged better against tree bark, avoiding predation. However, when industrial pollution darkened the tree bark with soot, the darker moths had a survival advantage and their numbers increased significantly. Similarly, if an environmental change in the squirrels' habitat favored black squirrels, natural selection would result in an increased population of black squirrels over time.
Black squirrels increase in number due to natural selection, which favors their darker fur for camouflage in urban settings. With better survival rates, these squirrels reproduce more, passing on their advantageous traits. Over generations, this leads to a higher proportion of black squirrels in the population.
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