Question

The process by which organism with different evolutionary history evolve similar phenotypic adaptations in response to a common environmental challenge, is called

• A. Natural selection.
• B. Convergent evolution.
• C. Non-random evolution.
• D. Adaptive radiation.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Convergent evolution.

Convergent evolution is the process, whereby, organisms no closely related independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches.
Natural selection is the gradual process by which biological traits become either more or less common in a population as a function of the effect of inherited traits on the differential reproductive success of organisms interacting with their environment.
In Non-random evolution, genetic variants that aid survival and reproduction are much more likely to become common than variants that don't.
Adaptive radiation is a process in which organisms diversify rapidly into a multitude of new forms, particularly when a change in the environment makes new resources available.
Thus, the correct answer is option (B), 'Convergent evolution'.