Download Changes in Traits

Changes in Traits
Background Information
CSCOPE – Lesson 06 Unit 02
Natural Selection
 Also called Natural occurrence.
 The process by which favorable traits that are heritable become more common in
successive generations of a population of reproducing organisms, and unfavorable
traits that are heritable become less common.
 Acts on the phenotype, or the observable characteristics of an organism, such as
individuals with favorable phenotypes are more likely to survive and reproduce
than those with less favorable phenotypes.
 If these phenotypes have a genetic basis, then the genotype associated with the
favorable phenotype will increase in frequency in the next generation.
 Over time, this process can result in specialized adaptations for particular
ecological niches and may eventually result in the emergence of new species.
 One example of a favorable phenotype in natural selection is camouflage, also
known as cryptic coloration or concealing coloration.
 Camouflage allows an otherwise visible organism or object to remain
indiscernible from the surrounding environment.
 Camouflage is a form of deception.
Selective Breeding
 Has produced new types of plants and animals.
 It allows desirable traits to be passed when animals or plants with the desirable
trait are allowed to breed.
 These genes that produce desirable traits are passed to the next generation.