Question

Fill in the blank with the correct word or words. The process by which the best-suited individuals survive in their environment is ___________.

Short answer

natural selection

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Context

The phrase 'best-suited individuals survive in their environment' refers to a concept in biology. We need to identify which scientific principle this phrase describes.

Recall Biological Concepts

In biology, there is a famous theory proposed by Charles Darwin. This theory explains how individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully in their environment.

Identify the Scientific Term

The theory that describes the survival and reproduction of organisms best-suited to their environment is known as 'natural selection.' This concept is a fundamental mechanism of evolution.

Fill in the Blank

Based on the above reasoning, the appropriate term to fill in the blank is 'natural selection.' Therefore, the complete sentence should read: 'The process by which the best-suited individuals survive in their environment is natural selection.'

Key concepts

Evolution

Evolution is a natural process through which populations of organisms change over generations. This change occurs due to variations in heritable traits either by mutation or recombination. Over time, beneficial traits become more common in a population, while disadvantageous ones may disappear.

Through evolution, species are not static but continuously adapt to their environments. This helps them to survive differences in climates, food sources, and predators.

• Variation: Differences must exist within a population, so some individuals are better suited to their environment compared to others.
• Inheritance: Traits must be heritable — passed from one generation to the next.
• Selection: Some traits confer advantages that enhance organisms' survival and reproduction rates.

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin was a pioneering thinker who fundamentally changed our understanding of biological life. Born in 1809, Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection, detailing how evolution takes place.
Darwin's famous voyage on the HMS Beagle allowed him to study a diverse array of species, leading to his revolutionary ideas about adaptation and survival.

• Origin of Species: In 1859, Darwin published this influential book, articulating the mechanism of natural selection.
• Galápagos Islands: His observations on these islands were crucial, showing how environmental pressures lead to variations among species, such as the differing beak shapes among finches.
• Scientific Legacy: Darwin's work laid the groundwork for modern biology and gave scientists a framework to understand biodiversity.

Survival of the Fittest

The phrase 'survival of the fittest' can be a bit misleading. It doesn't mean the strongest survive, but rather those who are most adapted to their environment tend to have better survival and reproduction rates.
It's a central concept within natural selection, underscoring how the environment 'selects' beneficial traits.

• Adaption: Organisms better suited to their environment tend to thrive while others may struggle to survive.
• Fit for Survival: A fitness advantage can result from various traits, such as resistance to disease or better foraging skills.
• Change Over Time: Those who survive contribute their beneficial traits to future generations, gradually shifting the genetic makeup of the population.

Biological Concepts

Biological concepts such as natural selection serve as foundational ideas in the study of life. These concepts help us understand the complex interactions between organisms and their environments.

Natural selection is just one of several mechanisms that contribute to evolution, along with others like genetic drift and gene flow.

• Genetic Variation: A core concept as it describes the diversity within a population's genetic makeup, key to enabling selection.
• Adaptation: Refers to the process through which populations become better suited to their environment.
• Speciation: Over time, significant evolutionary changes can lead to the emergence of new species.

Effective understanding of these biological concepts allows scientists to predict how species might change in response to environmental shifts.