1. Theory of Natural Selection
What is artificial selection?
What are the four principles of natural selection?

2. Insights Leading to Natural Selection
Artificial Selection – Humans select desirable traits and breed for them
Future populations have a higher percentage of desired traits than “natural” population

3. Insights Leading to Natural Selection
Struggle for survival
Malthus proposed there were limits to human population (disease, food supplies) to keep population in check
Darwin thought this also existed in nature

4. Natural Selection
Organisms that inherit beneficial adaptations produce more offspring than other “less fit” individuals
Also known as:
Survival of the Fittest
Descent with Modification

5. Four Principles of Natural Selection
Variation – differences that exist naturally are basis for trait selection
Overproduction – more offspring results in competition between offspring
Adaptation – certain variations allow some individuals to survive better and reproduce more
Descent with modification – As favorable adaptations accumulate over time, more individuals will have the favorable trait