Question

Evolution and “Survival of the Fittest” are not the same thing. Explain the differences. Include in...

Evolution and “Survival of the Fittest” are not the same thing.

Explain the differences.

Include in your explanation the concepts of:

  • Natural selection
  • Survival
  • Social cooperation
  • Reproduction

Homework Answers

Answer #1

Evolution and "survival of the fittest" are not the same thing. Evolutionrefers to the cumulative changes in apopulation or species through time. "Survival of the fittest" is a popular term that refers to the process of natural selection, a mechanism that drives evolutionary change.

For a trait to be shaped by natural selection it must be genetic and heritable. For natural selection to affect a trait there must be genetic variation in the population in this trait. "Natural selection is survival of the fittest" does not fit very well as a definition. It should be selected agains.

Reproductive success is part of the calculation for fitness and a key element in the theories of natural selection and evolution.

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