Which of the following is not a characteristic of natural selection?

A. More offspring are born than will survive to reproduce.
B. Mutations appear randomly.
C. Breeding pairs are chosen by humans.
D. Organisms that are better adapted are more likely to survive.

I would look at C as a possibility

its d.

Which term refers to the process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce?

Ic

To find the correct answer, let's examine each characteristic and eliminate the one that does not align with natural selection.

A. More offspring are born than will survive to reproduce.
This characteristic is indeed a key element of natural selection. It refers to the fact that many organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support, leading to competition for resources and increased likelihood of the fittest individuals surviving and passing on their traits.

B. Mutations appear randomly.
This is also true. Mutations occur randomly, meaning they are not directed or predetermined. They can arise spontaneously, often as a result of errors during DNA replication or exposure to environmental factors like radiation.

C. Breeding pairs are chosen by humans.
This statement does not align with natural selection. Natural selection is a process that operates in nature and is driven by environmental factors, not human intervention. It is based on survival and reproduction rates in the wild, and humans playing a role in choosing breeding pairs would be an example of artificial selection, not natural selection.

D. Organisms that are better adapted are more likely to survive.
This statement is a fundamental characteristic of natural selection. Organisms that possess traits that enhance their adaptability to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits on to future generations.

Based on the above analysis, we can conclude that the correct answer is:

C. Breeding pairs are chosen by humans.

This option does not align with natural selection since it involves human interference rather than the natural environmental pressures that drive the process.