Question

What are selective pressures, and how do they relate to natural selection?

Short answer

Selective pressures are environmental factors that influence an organism's survival and reproduction. Natural selection is a process where organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on their traits. The two concepts are interrelated - selective pressures act as the conditions that drive natural selection, with organisms best 'selected' by these pressure more likely to survive and pass on their traits.

Step-by-step solution

Define Selective Pressures

Selective pressures are environmental factors that influence the probability of an organism surviving and reproducing. These could be factors such as predation, availability of food, or competition. Organisms with traits that allow them to better cope with these pressures have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.

Define Natural Selection

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution. It is the process by which organisms that are best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to the succeeding generation.

Relation between Selective Pressures and Natural Selection

Selective pressures and natural selection are interrelated. Selective pressures act as the circumstances or conditions that drive natural selection. The organisms best suited or 'selected' by these pressures are more likely to survive, reproduce, and transmit their advantageous traits to the next generation, which is the essence of natural selection.