Question

'Elephant is a slowest breeder becoming sexually mature at the age of 30 and have large gestation period. A single female reproduces on an average 6 young ones during its lifetime. If all the young ones of a pair survive, there would be 19 million descendants at the end of 750 years'. This is an example for:

• A. Inheritance of acquired characters
• B. Mutation
• C. Part of Darwin's theory - overproduction
• D. Mendelian theory of inheritance

Answer 1

The correct option is C Part of Darwin's theory - overproduction

The theory of natural selection proposed by Charles Darwin identifies the processes by which a species changes over time. Overproduction is a driving force in natural selection, as it can lead to adaptation and variations in a species. Darwin argued that all species overproduce, since they have more offspring than can realistically reach reproductive age, based on the resources available.

For example, even a slow breeder like an elephant can produce up to 19 million offsprings in 750 years if all offsprings have offspring and they all survive. Thus, option C is correct.