Answer to Question #60588 in Evolution for Sanjukta Ghosh

Question

Discuss the role of natural selection in driving evolution according to Modern Synthetic theory.

Answer 1

According to Modern Synthetic theory, natural selection brings about evolutionary change by favoring differential reproduction of genes, which produce change in gene frequency from one generation to the next. Natural selection does not produce genetic change, but once it has occurred, it acts to encourage some genes over others. Natural selection creates also new adaptive relations between population and environment by favoring some gene combinations, rejecting others and constantly modifying and moulding the gene pool.