One way to explain why gene frequencies change is that individuals with traits that are adaptive in an environment will stay alive to reproduce. over generations their genes will become more common. This process describes: a. evolution b. natural selection c. sociobiology d. heritability which is correct?
I would say b, but b is included in a.
B. Natural Selection
The correct answer is b. natural selection.
Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution that acts on the variation in heritable traits within a population. It can be described as the process by which individuals with advantageous traits or adaptations are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to future generations. Over time, this leads to a gradual change in the genetic composition of a population, as genes for advantageous traits become more common.
To arrive at this answer, we can examine the options and eliminate incorrect choices:
a. Evolution: While natural selection is one of the driving forces of evolution, the term "evolution" itself is a broader concept encompassing various other mechanisms, such as genetic drift and gene flow. Therefore, this option is not as specific and accurate as natural selection.
c. Sociobiology: Sociobiology is a field of study that explores the relationship between social behavior and biological factors, such as genetics. However, it does not specifically describe the process of gene frequencies changing based on survival and reproductive success.
d. Heritability: Heritability refers to the proportion of the variation in a particular trait that is due to genetic factors. While important in understanding how traits can be passed down from one generation to the next, heritability alone does not fully capture the dynamic process of gene frequency changes.
By this process of elimination, we can conclude that the correct answer is b. natural selection.