Variation within the gene pool produces individuals that may survive a wider range or a different set of environmental conditions. Individuals better suited to survive under the new conditions leave more offspring that survive to carry the successful genes for survival in new conditions. Organisms that do not have traits that help them survive in new conditions do not have as many offspring survive. As generations pass, those whose inherited traits may have been suitable for earlier conditions but are not well adapted to survive under new environmental conditions are less likely to be successful. This is natural selection. The organisms best suited to new or changing conditions live to pass on those survival genes or beneficial adaptations. After completing the discussion activity, you will have an understanding of how environmental changes influence the natural selection process.
consider predator-prey relations of species in your local biome. Using reliable sources, review the basic biology of a predator and its most common prey species. Consider the selective pressures of the predator on prey (both lethal and non-lethal effects) and speculate which prey characteristics might become more common due to predation pressure. Propose how would you go about studying these effects?
Before getting to the selective pressure of the predator and prey, it is important to know the Theory of Natural Selection. According to it, in a environment with limited resources, the organisms with heritable traits that suits survival and reproduction will result in increased number of offsprings than the latter and there will be a increase in frequency of that trait in subsequent generations.
Now let's get into the Selective pressure of predators and prey. This Selective pressure can also be termed as Evolutionary Pressure. This particular aspect plays a major in evolution of organisms.
This Selective Pressure of predators led to the development of certain characteristics in predators. They include,
Similarly in order to survive from the predators attacks the preys have also developed their own countermeasures. The common aspects include,
These are almost common in many animals that are herbivores. From this we could see that both predators and preys have individual and unique characteristics. Apart from these they also have their special skills for survival.
For example, a deer runs in a zig zag manner in order to escape from predators and similarly lions hunts in packs in order to ambish the prey.
But they tend to coexist in the same ecosystem in a balanced manner. This is how nature works.
Variation within the gene pool produces individuals that may survive a wider range or a different...