How do natural selection and genetic drift differ in evolution
<p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Can someone explain the differences between natural selection and genetic drift in the context of evolution? I am interested in understanding their roles and effects on populations.
- Natural Selection:
- Occurs when individuals with beneficial traits have higher survival and reproduction rates.
- Leads to the adaptation of a population to its environment over time.
- Results in the increase of advantageous traits in a population.
- Genetic Drift:
- Occurs due to random chance and can result in the loss of genetic variation in a population.
- Has a stronger effect in smaller populations where chance plays a larger role.
- Does not necessarily lead to adaptation as it is not based on the fitness of individuals.
Answered
11 months ago