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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best defines evolution in a biological context?
A
The sudden appearance of new species without any ancestral lineage.
B
The process by which individuals adapt to their environment during their lifetime.
C
The development of complex organs within a single organism's lifespan.
D
A change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of evolution in a biological context. Evolution refers to the change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations, driven by mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Step 2: Analyze the incorrect options. The sudden appearance of new species without any ancestral lineage is not consistent with the gradual process of evolution, which involves changes over time and ancestral connections.
Step 3: Evaluate the statement about individuals adapting to their environment during their lifetime. This describes acclimatization or phenotypic plasticity, not evolution, as evolution occurs at the population level and involves genetic changes passed to offspring.
Step 4: Consider the development of complex organs within a single organism's lifespan. This is not evolution, as evolution involves changes across generations, not within an individual's lifetime.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct definition of evolution is 'A change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations,' as it accurately describes the process of biological evolution.