CAMPBELL BIOLOGY IN FOCUS-MOD.MASTERING
CAMPBELL BIOLOGY IN FOCUS-MOD.MASTERING
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780135191811
Author: Urry
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 19, Problem 1TYU

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?

  1. A.    There is heritable variation among individuals.
  2. B.     Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring.
  3. C.     Species produce more offspring than the environment can support.
  4. D.    Only a fraction of an individual's offspring may survive.
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Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Natural selection is an important process that leads to evolutionary changes. In this process, nature selects species that have a great survival ability in the environment and produces a high number of offspring. Natural selection is discovered by Charles Darwin. The mechanism of natural selection is based on the survival and reproductive success of the species.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer:

Natural selection is not based on the statement “poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”. Therefore, option (B) is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Natural selection is a mechanism in which nature selects species that have a better survival ability or fittest to the environment and produce more numbers of offspring.

Option (B) is given as “Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”.

As the natural selection is not based on “poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”, it is the right answer.

Hence, option (B) is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (A) is given as “There is heritable variation among individuals”.

Natural selection is a key step in the evolution. The individuals having heritable variations fit to the environment and are selected. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (C) is given as “Species produce more offspring than the environment can support”.

Nature selects the individual that produces a high number of offspring. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (D) is given as “Only a fraction of an individual’s offspring may survive”.

Nature selects individuals who fit to the environment, only a fraction of an individual’s offspring fits to the environment. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Hence, options (A), (C) and (D) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Natural selection is not based on an observation denoting “poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”.

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Which of the following best explains the role mutations play in natural selection?A. Most mutations are negative and result in the extinction of the entire speciesB. Mutations may appear for one or two generations, but they usually disappear quickly.C. If the environment changes, an existing organism develops a mutation that will help them to survive.D. Some mutations give individuals an advantage in their environment, allowing them to survive and reproduce.D is my answer is it correct?
Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?a. Over time, Equus developed strength, intelligence, speed,and durable grinding teeth.b. British land snails mainly have two different phenotypes.c. Swiss starlings usually lay four or five eggs, therebyincreasing their chances of more offspring.d. Drug resistance increases with each generation; theresistant bacteria survive, and the nonresistant bacteriaget killed off.e. All of these are correct
Which of the following is an example of natural selection? Select one: O A. In a very wet year, some plants grow unusually tall stalks and large leaves. B. Dogs with longer legs are able to run faster than dogs with shorter legs. C. Squirrels may have long or short tails. D. After several unusually cold winters, squirrels with an extra layer of fat have more offspring.
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