In population genetics, natural selection happens in three main ways: stabilizing selection, directional selection, and disruptive selection.
Stabilizing Selection: This type supports the traits that are average. For example, when it comes to human birth weights, babies that are either very small or very large have a harder time surviving. This means that more babies are born around the average weight.
Directional Selection: In this case, one extreme trait is preferred. A well-known example is the peppered moth during the Industrial Revolution. At that time, darker moths became more common because pollution made the trees darker.
Disruptive Selection: Here, both extreme traits are supported instead of the average. For instance, in an environment where there are both small and large seeds, birds with small or large beaks do well. However, birds with medium-sized beaks find it hard to eat.
To wrap it up, stabilizing selection is about keeping things average, directional selection pushes towards one extreme, and disruptive selection allows for differences at both ends!
In population genetics, natural selection happens in three main ways: stabilizing selection, directional selection, and disruptive selection.
Stabilizing Selection: This type supports the traits that are average. For example, when it comes to human birth weights, babies that are either very small or very large have a harder time surviving. This means that more babies are born around the average weight.
Directional Selection: In this case, one extreme trait is preferred. A well-known example is the peppered moth during the Industrial Revolution. At that time, darker moths became more common because pollution made the trees darker.
Disruptive Selection: Here, both extreme traits are supported instead of the average. For instance, in an environment where there are both small and large seeds, birds with small or large beaks do well. However, birds with medium-sized beaks find it hard to eat.
To wrap it up, stabilizing selection is about keeping things average, directional selection pushes towards one extreme, and disruptive selection allows for differences at both ends!