Question

What is desirable for maximising fitness of organisms?

Answer 1

• Fitness of the organism describes the reproductive success of an organism determined by its contribution towards the gene pool of the next generation.
• The genotype and phenotype of the organism is important in determining its reproductive success.
• Abiotic and biotic components of the environment are the different selective pressures on the organism.

According to Darwin, the success of a species depends upon the reproductive fitness of the population. To maximise fitness of a population:-

• Organisms must breed many times like mammals and birds or produce a large number of small-sized offspring (Oysters).
• These offspring must be fertile.

Fitness of a population can be maximised also if the species can adapt to changing biotic and abiotic components.