Variations in a species do not have equal chances of survival because the environment poses different challenges, and the nature of variations determines the advantages or disadvantages of individuals in coping with these challenges.
Why do variations in a species not have equal chances of surviving in their environment?
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Variations in a species do not have equal chances of surviving in their environment due to natural selection. The environment exerts selective pressures favoring certain traits that enhance an organism’s adaptation to its surroundings. Variations conferring advantages, such as better camouflage, increased efficiency in obtaining food, or resistance to diseases, increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction. Over time, these advantageous traits become more prevalent in the population, while less favorable variations are gradually eliminated. Natural selection, driven by the environment’s demands, shapes the distribution of traits in a population, ensuring the persistence of traits that enhance an organism’s fitness.