Individuals of the same species may have different characteristics, such as slightly longer legs. Individuals struggle to survive. Some die because of lack of food or may be eaten by predators. Individuals with useful characteristics are more likely to survive, and pass of their characteristics to the next generation. How does this represent both natural selection and descent with modification from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution? Use both terms in your response.
The scenario described represents both natural selection and descent with modification from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Natural selection is evident as individuals with more helpful traits, like slightly longer legs, are more likely to survive and pass on those beneficial characteristics to their offspring. Over time, these beneficial traits become more common within the population, resulting in a modification of the species as a whole. This is where descent with modification comes into play, as it explains how species evolve over time through gradual changes in their genetic makeup that accumulate over generations, giving rise to new variations and branching out into different species. Therefore, the survival and reproduction of individuals based on the advantage of their characteristic traits is an example of natural selection, leading to descent with modification over time.
