Question

Which of the following is not true about the Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection?

• A. Individuals tend to produce more offspring than can survive.
• B. Variation is present in all populations.
• C. Characteristics acquired by one parent can be passed on to their offspring.
• D. Resources are usually limited.
• E. Those individuals who produce the most fertile offspring are the most fit.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Characteristics acquired by one parent can be passed on to their offspring.

According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, all organisms have the potential to reproduce limitlessly irrespective of the fact that each species maintain a constant density over time. However, the struggle for existence, i.e. the competition among individuals for available resources to survive and reproduce, put a check on species density and maintains it at a constant level. Survival of fittest is unequal ability of individuals to survive and reproduce based on suitability of their inherited characters to prevailing environmental conditions. It imparts a reproductive advantage to certain organisms which account for major part of the gene pool of the species. Thus, natural selection favors the individual with survival and/or reproductive advantage over others under existing environmental condition. Thus, the correct answer is option C.