|Principle|Description|Example|
|---|---|---|
|Variation|Individuals within a population have many heritable variations.|The peppered moth comes in both light and dark colored variations.|
|Inheritance|Many variations can be passed on from parents to offspring.|The dark color of the peppered moth is a heritable trait.|
|Struggle for Existence|Organisms compete for resources.|Peppered moths compete for food and avoid predators.|
|Differential Survival and Reproduction|Traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on.|Dark colored peppered moths were better at surviving and reproducing in a polluted environment.|
|Mode of Selection|Description|Example|
|---|---|---|
|Directional Selection|Favors one extreme of a trait.|Over time, the peppered moth population shifted towards dark colored moths.|
|Stabilizing Selection|Favors the middle range of a trait.|Human birth weight tends to be around the middleweight range for better survival.|
|Disruptive Selection|Favors extreme traits at both ends of the spectrum.|In a lake full of daphnia, some became smaller and less susceptible to parasites while others became larger but more susceptible.|
|Sexual Selection|Selection based on traits that increase mating success.|The peacock's tail is a classic example of sexual selection.|
|Type of Selection|Description|Example|
|---|---|---|
|Artificial Selection|Humans select for desired traits in plants and animals.|Breeders selected for specific traits in dogs, resulting in many different breeds.|