Please give an example of natural selection that does not include a predator/prey relationship.
The giraffe.
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/selection/selection.html
Certainly! One example of natural selection that does not involve a traditional predator/prey relationship is the case of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Here's how natural selection plays a role in this scenario:
1. Bacteria population with genetic variation: Initially, a population of bacteria contains individuals with a range of genetic variations, including some individuals that are already resistant to certain antibiotics.
2. Antibiotic exposure: When antibiotics are introduced into the environment, they target and kill vulnerable bacteria, but some bacteria with genetic mutations or existing resistance mechanisms may survive.
3. Differential survival: The bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic have a higher chance of survival compared to their non-resistant counterparts, which are eliminated by the antibiotics.
4. Reproduction and passing on genes: As the surviving antibiotic-resistant bacteria reproduce, they pass on their resistance genes to their offspring, thereby increasing the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in subsequent generations.
5. Increased resistance: Over time, as this process continues, the overall population of bacteria becomes more and more resistant to the specific antibiotic, as the non-resistant individuals continue to be eliminated by the antibiotic.
In this example, the antibiotic acts as a selective pressure, favoring the survival and reproduction of antibiotic-resistant bacteria while eliminating those that are not resistant. This phenomenon demonstrates the principles of natural selection, driving the adaptation and evolution of bacteria in response to external pressures, without involving a predator-prey relationship.