The predominant species is more likely to survive, explained from a genetic perspective, because genes adapted to a particular environment spread within a population, increasing the survival rate of the species as a whole. This process is based on “natural selection,” whereby genes adapted to a particular environment are selected for.
1. Environmental Adaptation and Natural Selection
Genes determine the traits and characteristics of an organism and influence whether it adapts to its environment. For example, if a species that lives in a cold climate has a thick fur, that trait is advantageous as an adaptation to the cold. When these traits are genetically predominant, individuals with genes adapted to their environment are more likely to survive. This process proceeds through natural selection, and more adapted genes are passed on to the next generation, thus increasing the likelihood of survival as a species.。
2. Genetic Diversity and Adaptability
Dominant species are often genetically diverse, which increases their adaptive capacity. Species with diverse gene pools are more likely to have individuals that are flexible and responsive to environmental changes and new threats (e.g., pathogens). This is because the genes contain a variety of mutations, making them more likely to tolerate unexpected environmental changes.
3. Spread of Advantageous Genes
Among dominant species, if a particular gene is adaptive to a particular environment, individuals carrying that gene will have more offspring. For example, individuals with genes that allow them to digest food more efficiently are more resistant to starvation and more likely to survive. In this way, advantageous genes spread within a population and continue to adapt to the environment as the dominant species.
4. Competitive Advantage and Resource Use
Dominant species have survival and reproductive advantages over other species because they have genes that allow them to use limited resources (food, shelter, breeding grounds) more efficiently. This is because certain genes confer adaptive traits to the environment, which increases the competitiveness and survival of the species as a whole.
Conclusion
When a gene confers an advantageous trait for a particular environment or condition, the species is more likely to survive. Natural selection allows genes that are better suited to the environment to spread through the population, maintaining genetic diversity and adaptability, thereby increasing the likelihood of survival as the dominant species.
