How does an individual with a competitive advantage lead to the evolution of an entire species?

A. Individuals that survive due to their competitive advantage are able to expand their range,
similar to how the finches radiated out from one common ancestor on the mainland.
B. Some individuals are better at competing for resources, and that allows them to survive
droughts or other major ecological events, leading to the extinction of certain species and
the survival of others.
C. Those who have traits that help them survive are able to reproduce, and their offspring have those traits, leading to a change in the species over time.
D. Traits that are advantageous help certain individuals reproduce at higher rates, so those traits are more common within the population.

C. Those who have traits that help them survive are able to reproduce, and their offspring have those traits, leading to a change in the species over time. This process is known as natural selection, where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on those traits to their offspring. Over time, these traits become more common within the population and can eventually lead to the evolution of a new species.

u sure

Yes, I am sure. The process of natural selection is a fundamental principle of evolution in which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on those traits to their offspring. As a result, those traits become more common within the population over time, leading to the evolution of new species. This is well-established in the scientific community and is supported by a vast amount of evidence.

The correct answer is C. Those who have traits that help them survive are able to reproduce, and their offspring have those traits, leading to a change in the species over time.

To understand how an individual with a competitive advantage leads to the evolution of an entire species, it is important to understand the concept of natural selection. Natural selection is a key mechanism driving evolution.

In any population, there is genetic variation, which means individuals within a species can have different traits or characteristics. Some of these traits may provide certain individuals with a competitive advantage, making them more likely to survive and reproduce.

Imagine a population of organisms that face a changing environment with limited resources. Let's take an example of a bird population with different beak sizes. If the environment changes, such as the availability of food shifting from large seeds to smaller seeds, those individuals with smaller beaks may face a disadvantage in obtaining their food. At the same time, individuals with larger beaks, which can better crack the larger seeds, have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing.

Over time, the offspring of these individuals with advantageous traits, in this case, large beaks, inherit these traits. This is because advantageous traits are more likely to be passed on to the next generation. As the population experiences this selective pressure and more individuals with large beaks survive and reproduce, the average beak size of the population will gradually shift towards larger beaks.

This gradual change in the traits of a population over generations is what leads to the evolution of an entire species. The presence of a competitive advantage in certain individuals allows them to pass on their advantageous traits to future generations, resulting in the overall change of the species' characteristics.