AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Individuals in a population are naturally variable, meaning that they are all different in some ways. This variation means that some individuals have traits better suited to the environment than others. Individuals with adaptive traits-traits that give them some advantage-are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Detailed explanation-2: -Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution. Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes that aided their success. This process causes species to change and diverge over time.

Detailed explanation-3: -A number of environmental factors can impact natural selection. Climate, habitat type, available food, and a habitat’s predators can all impact which traits will be selected.

Detailed explanation-4: -Natural selection requires heritable variation in a given trait, and differential survival and reproduction associated with possession of that trait.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are four principles at work in evolution-variation, inheritance, selection and time. These are considered the components of the evolutionary mechanism of natural selection.