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Multiple Choice
Who highlighted the reproductive advantages of environmentally adaptive traits in the theory of natural selection?
A
Alfred Wegener
B
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
C
Gregor Mendel
D
Charles Darwin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of natural selection: Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with traits better suited to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing. This leads to the propagation of those advantageous traits in future generations.
Review the contributions of each individual listed in the question: Alfred Wegener is known for the theory of continental drift, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics, Gregor Mendel is the father of genetics, and Charles Darwin developed the theory of natural selection.
Focus on the key phrase 'reproductive advantages of environmentally adaptive traits': This directly aligns with Darwin's work, as he emphasized how traits that improve survival and reproduction in a given environment are naturally selected over time.
Recall Darwin's publication 'On the Origin of Species': In this work, Darwin detailed how natural selection drives the evolution of species by favoring traits that provide a reproductive advantage.
Conclude that Charles Darwin is the correct answer based on his foundational role in explaining natural selection and adaptive traits in evolutionary biology.