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Natural Selection as you probably know, is the mechanism by which a species (or genetic makeup of a breeding group) changes in response to an environmental challenge. For example, imagine a population of brown rabbits in a field. They are happy, breeding and being eaten occasionally by foxes until over time, the environment changes so that the field is covered in snow.

Now, the brown rabbits stick out and the foxes have an easy time of hunting them. Consequently, the number of brown rabbits decreases dramatically and they are threatened with extinction. The genetic mutations always present in the population (and which increase with in-breeding in small populations) throw up random variations as always but now, some are more beneficial. For instance white rabbits which used to be caught and eaten quickly before the snow came, are now much better adapted. As such, they are more likely to survive, breed and pass on their white genetic make up and hence more white rabbits are born - they are naturally selected by the snow and the foxes; their environment.

GD is also a change in genetic make up of a population however it is not stimulated by the environment. Imagine our population of rabbits again. 50% of them have blue eyes and 50% have green. The eye colour makes little difference to their survival chances and is just a natural variation. A new born rabbit will statistically have a 50% chance of blue eyes and 50% chance of green eyes.

In a big population, the proportion of blue to green is likely to stay at or around 50%. However that is not the case in a small population.

Imagine there are now only 20 rabbits: 10 with blue eyes, 10 with green. Purely by chance, some of these rabbits will not breed, or some breed more often. Let's say - by chance - one green-eyed rabbit gets run over and doesn't breed. There are 10 blues and 9 greens. That means that there are now 53% blues and 47% greens. These proportions will now have a greater impact on the consequent generation since there are more blues, there will be a greater chance of blues appearing in the next generation and less chance of greens.

Populations like this constantly vary due to any number of random events. In small populations, those random events become more important since they represent a greater proportion of the total population.

In large populations, this drift is small and frequently reversed however in small populations it is almost inevitable that one of the two (or more) traits will eventually be lost from the population.

So with NS, a specific trait increases in the population because it is better adapted to the changed environment.

With GD, a specific trait increases in the population simply because a random event caused there to be slightly more of one and less of another leading to the more populous being more likely to breed

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13y ago
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6mo ago

Genetic drift is a random process that leads to changes in allele frequencies in a population, while natural selection is a non-random process that leads to changes in allele frequencies due to the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with certain traits. Essentially, genetic drift is due to chance, while natural selection is driven by the environment.

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Q: What is the difference between genetic drift and natural selection?
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What is the main difference between natural selection and genetic drift?

The main difference between natural selection and genetic drift is that natural selection involves the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on their traits, leading to an increase in advantageous traits in a population over time. Genetic drift, on the other hand, is a random process that can lead to changes in allele frequencies in a population due to chance events, rather than selection pressure.


Is Natural selection a source of genetic variation in a population?

No, natural selection works on that genetic variation presented to it.


Which of these is necessary for natural selection to occur genetic engeneering genetic variation asexual reproduction or enviormental stability?

Genetic variation is necessary for natural selection to occur. This variation provides the raw material for differential survival and reproduction, which drives the process of natural selection. Without genetic variation, there would be no differences for natural selection to act upon.


What is genetic variation in natural selection?

Genetic variation refers to the diversity of alleles in a population. In natural selection, genetic variation allows for some individuals to have traits that are better suited to their environment, giving them a higher chance of survival and reproduction. Over time, natural selection can lead to the increase of advantageous alleles in a population.


Was it absolutely necessary for natural selection to take place?

Genetic change is necessary for natural selection to take place

Related questions

What is the main difference between natural selection and genetic drift?

The main difference between natural selection and genetic drift is that natural selection involves the differential survival and reproduction of individuals based on their traits, leading to an increase in advantageous traits in a population over time. Genetic drift, on the other hand, is a random process that can lead to changes in allele frequencies in a population due to chance events, rather than selection pressure.


How does genetic variation support Natural Selection?

Genetic variation in itself does not 'support' natural selection: it is what natural selection acts upon.


What is the difference between the processes of natural selection and artificial selection?

the difference between the 2 r that natural is the best looking or tasting and artificial is fake


Is Natural selection a source of genetic variation in a population?

No, natural selection works on that genetic variation presented to it.


What are genetic mutation and natural selection?

Together, genetic mutation and natural selection determine in what 'direction' evolution proceeds.


How is genetic diversity important to the concept of natural selection?

Without genetic diversity, natural selection cannot occur


Which of these is necessary for natural selection to occur genetic engeneering genetic variation asexual reproduction or enviormental stability?

Genetic variation is necessary for natural selection to occur. This variation provides the raw material for differential survival and reproduction, which drives the process of natural selection. Without genetic variation, there would be no differences for natural selection to act upon.


Is it possible for a population to undergo natural selection?

No, there is no genetic variation upon which natural selection can operate.


What is genetic variation in natural selection?

Genetic variation refers to the diversity of alleles in a population. In natural selection, genetic variation allows for some individuals to have traits that are better suited to their environment, giving them a higher chance of survival and reproduction. Over time, natural selection can lead to the increase of advantageous alleles in a population.


Which type of selection tends to increase genetic variation?

Natural Selection.


How can genetic drift and gene flow affect natural selection?

Genetic drift can reduce genetic variation within a population, making it harder for natural selection to act upon beneficial traits. Gene flow, on the other hand, can introduce new genetic variation into a population, potentially increasing the pool of traits for natural selection to act upon. Overall, both genetic drift and gene flow can influence the effectiveness of natural selection by altering the genetic composition of populations.


Was it absolutely necessary for natural selection to take place?

Genetic change is necessary for natural selection to take place