Which of these statements about Natural Selection is correct?
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1 point
Traits that negatively affect survival are more likely to be common in the population.
The fittest organisms are better able to survive and reproduce in an environment.
Populations tend to produce fewer individuals than the environment can support.
Stable environments help shift populations' genetic variance toward a new trait.
The correct statement about Natural Selection is: The fittest organisms are better able to survive and reproduce in an environment.
The correct statement about Natural Selection is: The fittest organisms are better able to survive and reproduce in an environment. This statement accurately describes how natural selection works, as it favors individuals with traits that provide a reproductive advantage in a specific environment, leading to the increased frequency of those advantageous traits in future generations.
To determine which of these statements about Natural Selection is correct, we'll need to evaluate each statement individually:
1. Traits that negatively affect survival are more likely to be common in the population.
For this statement to be correct, we need to understand how natural selection works. Natural selection favors traits that enhance an organism's ability to survive and reproduce. Traits that negatively affect an organism's survival will typically reduce its chances of reproducing, and therefore, those traits are less likely to be common in the population. Therefore, this statement is correct.
2. The fittest organisms are better able to survive and reproduce in an environment.
This statement aligns with the principles of natural selection. The organisms that are best suited to their environment—those that possess traits that increase their chances of survival and reproduction—are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population. Therefore, this statement is also correct.
3. Populations tend to produce fewer individuals than the environment can support.
This statement seems to describe a concept known as overpopulation. While overpopulation can put a strain on resources and lead to competition, it is not directly related to natural selection. Natural selection primarily focuses on the traits that increase an organism's fitness, rather than the population size itself. Therefore, this statement is not correct in the context of natural selection.
4. Stable environments help shift populations' genetic variance toward a new trait.
In a stable environment, there may be less pressure on populations to adapt to new conditions. Genetic variance, in this context, refers to the variety of genetic traits present within a population. If the environment remains stable, the selection pressure towards a new trait may be minimal, and the genetic variance may remain relatively constant. Therefore, this statement is not entirely accurate.
In conclusion, the correct statements about Natural Selection are:
- Traits that negatively affect survival are more likely to be common in the population.
- The fittest organisms are better able to survive and reproduce in an environment.