Fitness / Adaptive Value / Selective Value

Correct Answer: All of the Above

From the notes: Fitness = Adaptive Value = Selective Value — all three terms mean the same thing: the contribution of offspring to the next generation.

Formula (from notes)

Fitness (F) = 1 − S, where S = coefficient of selection and L = genetic load. Also written as F = 1 − L.

Example (from notes)

If S = 0.1, then Fitness = 1 − 0.1 = 0.9

Interpretation

• Fitness = 1 → maximum reproductive success; no selection against this genotype
• Fitness = 0 → lethal genotype; completely eliminated by selection
• Higher fitness = lower selection coefficient (S)

Connection to Evolution

Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection is based on differential fitness — individuals with higher fitness contribute more offspring to the next generation, shifting gene frequencies over time.