Natural selection consists of changes to living individuals that lead to its adaptability, survival, and further reproduction in their environment. These changes can be propagated to the next generation's gene pools, being a mechanism of evolution and not evolution itself. In the absence of natural selection, selection can happen through genetic drift, a sampling error inherited in the transmission of gametes by individuals in a finite population, and gene flow, consisting of the movement of genes in and out of a population.
Misconceptions about natural selection. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_32
Nature news. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2021, from https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/natural-selection-genetic-drift-and-gene-flow-15186648/
Selection doesn't happen THROUGH genetic drift or gene flow. Evolution can happen due to those processes (not sure if that was just a typo or not). Selection, drift, mutation, and migration are all mechanisms of evolution.
ReplyDeleteHi John! Yes, that was a typo. Thanks for pointing it out.
DeleteHi Victoria! I was glad to see that you pointed out that natural selection is not evolution. That was a major misunderstanding I had before taking this class, and I am glad to now know that natural selection is just one way that evolution can take place. Did you have any misconceptions before starting this course that you feel like you have been able to correct based on the material we have covered so far?
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