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7.1 Introduction to Natural Selection

Part of Natural Selection in AP® Biology. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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Causes of Natural Selection

Natural selection is a central mechanism of evolution. It is driven by competition for limited resources, such as food, shelter, and mates. This competition leads to differential survival, where individuals with traits that offer a survival or reproductive advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce. As a result, these advantageous traits are passed down to future generations. Over time, the frequency of beneficial traits increases within the population, while less advantageous traits may diminish or disappear.

In this unit

14 lessons

  1. 7.1Introduction to Natural SelectionThis lesson
  2. 7.2.1Natural SelectionPreview lesson
  3. 7.2.2Phenotypic Variations and FitnessPreview lesson
  4. 7.3Artificial SelectionPreview lesson
  5. 7.4Population GeneticsPreview lesson
  6. 7.5Hardy-Weinberg EquilibriumPreview lesson
  7. 7.6Evidence of EvolutionPreview lesson
  8. 7.7Common AncestryPreview lesson
  9. 7.8Continuing EvolutionPreview lesson
  10. 7.9PhylogenyPreview lesson
  11. 7.10SpeciationPreview lesson
  12. 7.11ExtinctionPreview lesson
  13. 7.12Variations in PopulationsPreview lesson
  14. 7.13Origins of Life on EarthPreview lesson

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