Question

Explain the role of random genetic processes and selection in the evolution of adaptations. Be sure to address how organisms can accumulate new adaptations without losing previous adaptations and the conditions required for adaptation to occur. (20 pts)

Answer 1

The changes in the inherited traits of a population from generation to generation is known as evolution.
Traits are the attributes of gene expression, which are passed on from one generation to the next generation by DNA copying mechanism.
As one of the genetic processes, mutations in these genes can produce new or altered traits, resulting in heritable differences (genetic variation) between organisms.
The new traits may also come from the horizontal gene transfer methods like transfer of genes between populations, as in migration, or between species.
The new traits can get formed in the organisms of different species either by altering the old traits of by without altering the old traits.
During certain special instances, when these heritable differences become more common or rare in a population, either non-randomly through natural selection or randomly through genetic drift, the evolution takes place. It happens, because organisms with advantageous traits pass on more copies of these heritable traits to the next generation.

Over many generations, adaptations occur through a combination of successive, small, random changes in traits, and natural selection of those variants best-suited for their environment.