Big Idea 1.A
What are the main principles of Darwin's theory of natural selection?
- Populations tend to grow exponentially and overpopulate, exceeding their resources.
- Overpopulation results in competition and a struggle for survival.
- In any population, there is variation and an unequal ability of individuals to survive and reproduce. (The source of this "variation" is genetics).
- Only the fittest individuals survive and pass their traits on to the offspring.
- Evolution occurs as advantageous traits accumulate in a population.