Two species of animals with a similar appearance live in the same habitat but do not compete for food. This is because they most likely (1) reproduce at different times of the year (2) are the same size (3) occupy different ecological niches (4) are active at night

Mutations are the raw material for natural selection Variation Mutations are the raw material for natural selection

Variation Variations are positive things. The more differences there are, the more likely someone will survive!

All organisms vary, even asexual reproducers These differences are the result of DNA mutations. The variations may provide positive or negative adaptive value.

Can you choose to have tall or short parents?

Can you choose to use more or less water?

Can you choose to be born with stronger front limbs?

How about faster!?!?

¡Allí está!

Why are there so many varieties of chili? Humans have long known about natural variation. We often select from among the varieties. This is artificial selection (selective breeding).

Selective breeding means that over time humans have changed organisms. We have artificially selected which live to reproduce.

Variation / Diversity is a good thing! In 1970, a deadly disease spread through corn crops in the U S. Scientists discovered that 80 percent of the corn contained a gene that made the plants more likely to be infected with the disease. This problem might have been avoided if the cornfields across the country had had more (1) large predators to control parasite populations (2) selective mutations (3) genetic diversity (4) breeding of infected plants Variation / Diversity is a good thing!