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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is required for natural selection to occur in a population?
A
A stable environment with no changes
B
Equal reproductive success for all individuals
C
Unlimited resources available to the population
D
Genetic variation among individuals
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that natural selection is a process where individuals with certain heritable traits tend to survive and reproduce at higher rates than others because of those traits.
Recognize that genetic variation is crucial for natural selection because it provides the raw material for evolution. Without genetic differences, there would be no differential survival or reproduction.
Consider that a stable environment with no changes would not drive natural selection, as there would be no selective pressures favoring certain traits over others.
Acknowledge that equal reproductive success for all individuals would mean no selection is occurring, as natural selection relies on differential reproductive success.
Realize that unlimited resources would remove competition, which is a key factor in natural selection, as it often leads to differential survival and reproduction based on advantageous traits.