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

Define lipids - tests for presence of exoenzymatic activity, Define Lipids ...

Define Lipids - Tests for Presence of Exoenzymatic Activity? Lipids are also high molecular weight compounds. Enzyme lipases (esterases) cleaves the ester bond to form glycerol

Extractive use of biodiversity, Q. Extractive use of biodiversity? This...

Q. Extractive use of biodiversity? This includes direct use such as harvesting of wild plant species for use as food, fuel, fodder, fibre, shelter or medicine and hunting anima

Limitations of five-kingdom classification, Limitations of Five-Kingdom Cla...

Limitations of Five-Kingdom Classification As already pointed out, each system of classification has its own limitations. The two-kingdom system has outlived its usefulness as

Mode of hormone action through extracellular receptors, MOD E OF HORMONE A...

MOD E OF HORMONE ACTION THROUGH EXTRACELLULAR RECEPTORS - The molecules of amino acid derivatives, peptides or polypeptide (protein) hormones bind to specific receptor molecul

Elaborate the internal vascular circulation of an eye, Elaborate the intern...

Elaborate the internal vascular circulation of an eye. Retinal vessels are derived from central retinal artery and are distributed within the inner two-third of retina. Outer o

Systems of human body, Systems of Human Body Many organs work in a coo...

Systems of Human Body Many organs work in a coordinated'manner to form a system. For example in our-body the nose, the trachea and the lungs form the respiratory system. Table

Introduction to transgenic animals, Transgenic Animal Over the centurie...

Transgenic Animal Over the centuries, animals with new combinations of genes have been produced using conventional breeding methods by means of careful selection of particular

Explain hypertension in biochemical or physiological risk, Explain Hyperten...

Explain Hypertension in biochemical or physiological risk factors? The importance of elevated BP as a risk factor for CAD, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease and renal fail

What is ATP which invovles in use/transfer of all cells, The use and transf...

The use and transfer of energy in all cells involves same compound, ATP. The letters ATP stand for chemical: a) Adenosine triphosphate b) Aluminum trioxide c) Atrophine t

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