Question

Of the group of organisms described, which one would be considered to have the highest fitness, in evolutionary terms?

• A. A raccoon that demonstrates resistance to rabies
• B. A sea turtle that lays a hundred eggs, 12 of which develop into adult sea turtles
• C. A cheetah that is the fastest of its siblings
• D. A 105-year old woman with one child
• E. A male gorilla that is the strongest of all the males in its band

Answer 1

The correct option is A A raccoon that demonstrates resistance to rabies

According to Darwin's concept of natural selection, as a struggle for existence, only those organisms could survive which have favourable variation to adapt with the environmental conditions. In other words, struggle for existence results in survival of the fittest which means that natural selection tends to favour those organisms which are most fit to survive with the reproductive age in a particular environment and to produce offspring.

Hence, a racoon that demonstrates resistance to rabies would be considered to have fitness in evolutionary terms.

So, the correct answer is 'A raccoon that demonstrates resistance to rabies'.