Natural selection, Biology

Assignment Help:

Darwin put fort the notion of the survival of the fittest. How do we define 'fittest'? The answer usually given is those who survive. So you can readily see that this is a circular agrument and doesn't really help us understand what really happens following natural selection quite clearly. The idea of fitness as a matter of survival will not do. Therefore in the course of the development of what we have earlier referred to as the modern synthesis the notion of fitness was related to the ability of the individual to maximise the number of progeny left in the next generation. In other words the notion of fitness was translated into reproductive success. Given the idea of fitness as being measurable in terms of reproductive success we can now go back to basic tenets of Darwinism. The first of the five observations mentioned therein was the tendency on the part of living organisms to reproduce: In an exponential manner. We noted that the consequence of this is competition for available resources which results in "the survival of the fittest" Clearly, therefore. in3terms of reproductive ability nature is truly prodigal.


Related Discussions:- Natural selection

Particulate theory - pre-mendelian theory, Particulate Theory (i)      ...

Particulate Theory (i)         Maupertuis (1689-1759) proposed that the body of each parent give rise to minute particles. (ii)         In sexual reproduction, these particl

Why phylogenies using maximum likelihood methods, When constructing phyloge...

When constructing phylogenies using maximum likelihood methods, you assume?

Amphibian circulation be classified as incomplete and double, Q. Why can th...

Q. Why can the amphibian circulation be classified as incomplete and double? The amphibian circulation is double because it is composed of pulmonary and systemic circulations r

Choline, CHOLINE Found in egg liver & kidney. Synthesized in body...

CHOLINE Found in egg liver & kidney. Synthesized in body with acetyle coA. It forms acetylcholine. Deficiency causes damage to kidney.

How are the main classes of arthropods classified, How are the main classes...

How are the main classes of arthropods classified according to the presence of larval stage in their embryonic development? In crustaceans there are species with direct and oth

Types specimens of echpnodermata, Types specimens of echpnodermata Befor...

Types specimens of echpnodermata Before we begin the study of the selected specimens of the following echinoderms - Feather star, Brittle star, Sea urchin, Sea cucumber and Star

Constituents of food – the major nutrients, Composition of Plant and Animal...

Composition of Plant and Animal Tissues Food supplies nutrients popularly known as major and minor nutrients based on the quantities in which they are required for the living b

Class of subphylum uniramia - pauropoda, Class of Subphylum Uniramia - Paur...

Class of Subphylum Uniramia - Pauropoda A small group of uniramians, there are 500 species of Pauropoda explained so far. The minute organisms computing about 1.5 mm in length

Extinction, EXTINCTIO N  - It refers to disappearance of a species from...

EXTINCTIO N  - It refers to disappearance of a species from earth when its last surviving member dies. Organic evolution not only creats new sps. but also eliminates some ol

Write the meaning of polydypsia, Q. Write the meaning of Polydypsia? In...

Q. Write the meaning of Polydypsia? Increased Thirst (Polydypsia): As the patient is losing more water through excessive urination, the patient feels thirstier and tends to tak

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd