Evolution at the gene level

Question 1

How does gene selection differ from other theories?

Answer 1

Individual selection proposes that evolution operates at the level of the individual, with traits that increase an individual’s fitness being selected for over those that decrease fitness

Species selection focuses on the long-term success of entire species, rather than the success of individual organisms or groups of organisms within those species

Evolution rule - selection acts on replicators, individual units that replicate themselves

Question 2

Gene selection

Answer 2

One important difference is that gene selection emphasises the importance of non-adaptive traits, which may not directly enhance an organism’s survival or reproduction but can still have a significant impact on the transmission of particular genes