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Theory of Natural Selection and Evolution:

To supplement a complete understanding of reproductive success or biological fitness we first need to understand the theory of natural selection. Darwin's theory of Natural Selection explains how the change of genetic variation over time within a species allows some individuals to be better suited to their environmental pressures, finding suitable mates, and/or finding food sources than others. Over time those same individuals pass on their genetic makeup onto their offspring and therefore the frequency of this advantageous trait or gene increases within that population. The same may be true for the opposite as well. If an individual is born with a genetic makeup that makes them less suited for their environment, they may have less of a chance of surviving and passing on their genes and therefore may see these disadvantageous traits decrease in frequency. This is one example of how reproductive success or otherwise known as biological fitness is a main component of the theory of Natural Selection and Evolution. (Later maybe give an example of natural selection and the selection of traits to increase reproductive fitness)

Evolutionary Trade-offs

Throughout evolutionary history, we have seen many times where an advantageous trait or gene will continue to increase in frequency within a population but could only be possible due to a loss or decrease in functionality of another trait. This is known as an evolutionary trade-off. Due to a variety of limitations like energy availability, resource allocation during biological development or growth, or limitations of the genetic makeup itself means that there is a balance between traits. The increase in effectiveness in one trait may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of other traits as result. (This is important to understand because if certain individuals within a population have a certain trait that raises their reproductive fitness, this trait may have develop at the expense of others as well.)(Change in genetic makeup through natural selection is not necessarily changes that are either just beneficial or deleterious but are changes that may be both.

References

https://www3.beacon-center.org/blog/2016/08/25/evolutionary-trade-offs/

https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_25