3.1 Fitness

Fitness is the survival of a species within a population. Relative fitness is the survival of a specific gene throughout generations. I believe that fitness represents natural selection at play and those with the most favorable traits will survive. Of course, the environment has a huge impact on which species or traits survive and I think this is an important concept to consider. 

To calculate fitness, I would choose a species to investigate. Let's say I want to measure the fitness of brown beetles over a period of five years. I would collect a sample of beetles (wherever they are prevalent) and then determine how many have a specific phenotype/genotype I am looking for (in this case - a brown back). Then, maybe in six months or a year, I would go back to that location and collect the same size sample of beetles. This would allow me to see how many have reproduced and passed on the favorable phenotype of having a brown back, which would enhance their survival because they blend in with the dirt. Using the Hardy-Weinberg formula could help me predict the chances of different types of beetles surviving. Then, I would continue to collect samples and calculate how many with brown backs have survived and passed on their favorable trait to their offspring.