Question

For a population of organisms to undergo natural selection, there are at least 2 criteria that must be met. The population must have a___________________ gene pool and________.

Answer 1

Answer: A population to undergo natural selection must have a transmittable gene pool and high fecundity

Explanation:

Natural selection is a process by which species develop traits that make them adaptable to a certain environment and increase in reproduction rates.

There are various genes in our bodies. Some of these genes are located in our body cells and others, in our reproductive cells (present in eggs and sperm). The genes transmitted to offspring are present in reproductive cells therefore, for natural selection to occur, the genes which enable adaptability must be present in reproductive cells and passed down to offspring from generation to generation.

High fecundity or reproduction is important in natural selection as it increases the sustainability rate of the newly evolved genes enabling adaptation of the species to the environment.