Which statement about natural selection is true? a. natural selection and evolution are two terms for the same phenomenon. b. natural selection is an outdated theory to explain how evolution took place. c. natural selection is the process by which organisms with more beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. d. natural selection is the process by which organisms develop variation in traits, which gives them a better chance of survival.

c.Natural selection is the process by which organisms with more beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.  

Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals because of differences in the phenotype. Phenotypic characteristics favors the survival of some organisms in the population better than others. Example given by Darwin population of colored beetles green and red belonging to same species. Green ones mimic the color of grass not noticed by birds but red ones were noticed and eaten by birds. This is the selection by nature for better suited individuals. Green color gave the survival advantage to these beetles which is a phenotypic characteristic therefore, they will produce more offsprings than the red ones and also pass on the phenotypic trait to their offsprings.

Natural selection is a way of selecting certain organisms naturally that consists of specific features making them capable of better adapting and surviving in a particular environment.

Further Explanation:

In 1859, Charles Darwin introduced the theory of natural selection to provide an explanation of adaptation and speciation. According to the theory, the useful variations or mutations in the genome of an individual would help him/her to better adjust in the surrounding environment and therefore, such variations are selected as such. This results in better survival capacity of an individual and also leads to passing on the variations to future generations through reproduction. The environmental conditions keep on changing with time. In order to survive in the changing environment, the organism’s genome keeps on undergoing mutations so as to produce useful traits to be able to cope in such surroundings. The traits which in turn help the organism to adapt the environmental conditions are selected naturally compared to the traits of other organisms that are less useful. These variations are called advantageous variations that allow an individual to remain and reproduce better so as to increase its number.

The organisms differ among each other in a population due to random mutations that take place within their genome. Sometimes these mutations are passed on to their offspring as they are important for the survival of the progeny. As the environment changes, an individual also undergoes changes in order to adjust itself with the changing conditions. For example, in an extremely cold environment, certain organisms bring about changes in their genome and with time have produce fur so as to protect themselves from the cold. There are certain other organisms who could not adapt in such a colder environment and therefore, became extinct. Thus, natural selection is defined as a process wherein useful adaptation is favoured and the fittest organism depending on the environmental conditions survives and reproduces.

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Answer Details:

Grade: Secondary School

Chapter: Theory of Natural Selection

Subject: Biology

Keywords:

Natural selection, traits, adaptation, variation, mutations, reproduction, environmental conditions, random mutations, genome.