Question

Data from an experimental survey in India suggest that weight of newborns ranges between 2 kg to 5kg, but the majority of the surviving newborns are 3 kg in weight. Which of the following is correct for such type of natural selection when the graph is plotted between the number of surviving babies and their weight?

• A. It is a type of stabilizing selection
• B. The peak formed in graph corresponding to extreme character value in the graph
• C. Two peaks formed in graph corresponds to peripheral character value
• D. Two peaks are obtained corresponding to extreme character value in the graph

Answer 1

The correct option is A It is a type of stabilizing selection

The peak formed in the graph corresponds to the intermediate character associated with stabilizing natural selection. Peak gets narrower and higher, favouring intermediate phenotype. Here, that of 3kg weighted infants who have higher rate of survival.

So, the correct answer is option A.