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    Conditions required for evolution by natural selection


    Evolution by natural selection occurs when three (3) conditions are met. What are these three requirements? Briefly explain each, and provide a hypothetical example to illustrate and explain these requirements and how they lead to evolution by natural selection.

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    The three requirements are:

    1. Variation (in the trait of interest)
    2. Heredity (the trait is heritible)
    3. Differential survival/reproduction (individuals with one form of the trait are better at surviving to reproduce, or at reproducing itself, than individuals with a different form of the trait)

    First, within a population, there must be variation (requirement 1) in the trait that we are looking at. For example, if the trait of interest is ...

    Solution Summary

    This solution explains the three requirements for evolution by natural selection to occur. In addition to explaining the three requirements, the solution provides a hypothetical example of evolution by natural selection and explains how the example meets the three requirements.