Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best defines 'natural selection' in the context of evolution?
A
The random change in allele frequencies in a population over time.
B
The process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
C
The movement of individuals and their genes from one population to another.
D
The formation of new species from a single ancestral species.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of 'natural selection' in the context of evolution. Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with traits that provide a survival or reproductive advantage are more likely to pass on their genes to the next generation.
Step 2: Analyze the provided options. The first option describes genetic drift, which is the random change in allele frequencies in a population over time. This is not natural selection.
Step 3: Evaluate the second option. It states that natural selection is the process by which organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This aligns with the definition of natural selection.
Step 4: Review the third option. It describes gene flow, which is the movement of individuals and their genes from one population to another. This is a different evolutionary mechanism, not natural selection.
Step 5: Examine the fourth option. It refers to speciation, the formation of new species from a single ancestral species. While speciation can result from natural selection, it is not the definition of natural selection itself.