Question

By the statement 'survival of the fittest', Darwin meant that:

• A. The strongest of all species will survive.
• B. The most intelligent of the species will survive.
• C. The cleverest of the species will survive.
• D. The most adaptable of the species that are reproductively fit will survive.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The most adaptable of the species that are reproductively fit will survive.

• The phrase 'survival of the fittest' was used by Darwin to explain the process of natural selection.
• According to him the organisms which can adapt to the environmental condition to the maximum level and are able to reproduce (can pass on their characteristics to the next generation) are selected by nature for survival.
• The others are rejected and they perish.
• Thus, the organisms that are the fittest (reproductively) are selected.
• So, the correct answer is option D.