Question

Which of the following statements about natural selection is most correct?

• A. Well adapted individuals leave more offspring than poorly adapted individuals and thus, they contribute more gene pool to next generation
• B. Adaptations beneficial in one given condition should be beneficial in all other conditions too
• C. Different species that occupy a habitat would have undergone the same genetic changes
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Well adapted individuals leave more offspring than poorly adapted individuals and thus, they contribute more gene pool to next generation

According to natural selection, individuals who survive better and utilize resources in a given condition contribute more offspring for the next generation as compared to poorly adapted individuals in the same conditions. This might have been the basis of speciation over many generations. Darwin referred to this as the survival of the fittest.

Adaptations are specific to conditions and different environmental conditions may necessiate different adaptations for better chances of survival. Further different species would have undergone genetic changes different from one another as the variations within these populations are different, to begin with.