Natural selection has four requirements overproduction of offspring genetic variation differential "survivorship" and extension mutations competition gene flow
Your understanding of natural selection is mostly correct, but there are a few inaccuracies in your statement. Let's break it down:
1. Overproduction of offspring: Organisms tend to produce more offspring than can survive to adulthood. This leads to competition for limited resources and increases the chances of some individuals surviving and reproducing.
2. Genetic variation: Within a population, individuals vary in their traits due to genetic differences. This variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.
3. Differential survivorship and reproduction: Not all individuals in a population survive and reproduce equally. Some individuals possess traits that make them better adapted to their environment, increasing their chances of survival and reproduction. This leads to the differential passing on of traits to the next generation.
4. Competition: Limited resources in an environment lead to competition among individuals. Those with advantageous traits are more likely to acquire the resources they need to survive and reproduce, while those with less advantageous traits may struggle, reducing their chances of passing on their genes.
You mentioned "extension mutations," but there doesn't seem to be a clear definition for this term. If you meant "random mutations," it's true that mutations can introduce new genetic variations into a population, which can be subject to natural selection.
Additionally, "gene flow" refers to the movement of genes from one population to another through migration or interbreeding. It can introduce new variations or alter the frequency of existing variations within populations.
Overall, natural selection operates by favoring individuals with certain traits that enhance their survival and reproduction, leading to changes in the genetic makeup of populations over successive generations.