Question

Which of the following would stop evolution from occurring by natural selection?

• A. If humans became extinct because of a disease epidemic.
• B. If a thermonuclear war killed most living organisms and changed the environment drastically.
• C. If ozone depletion let to increased ultraviolet radiation, which caused many new mutations.
• D. If all individuals in a population were genetically identical and there was no genetic recombination, sexual reproduction or mutation.

Answer 1

The correct option is D If all individuals in a population were genetically identical and there was no genetic recombination, sexual reproduction or mutation.

Natural selection means selection by nature. Nature selects organisms that can breed and leave greater number of progeny in the next generation. The forces that make available various choices before nature are genetic recombination during gametogenesis in sexual reproduction and mutations in genetic material. These forces generate a diversity before nature and then the nature selects the best suited organisms.