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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a result of natural selection?
A
Random changes in allele frequencies due to chance events
B
Inheritance of acquired characteristics
C
All individuals in a population becoming identical
D
Increased frequency of advantageous traits in a population
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of natural selection: Natural selection is a process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.
Eliminate incorrect options: Random changes in allele frequencies due to chance events describe genetic drift, not natural selection. Inheritance of acquired characteristics is an outdated concept proposed by Lamarck and is not supported by modern biology. All individuals in a population becoming identical contradicts the principle of genetic variation, which is essential for natural selection.
Focus on the correct option: Increased frequency of advantageous traits in a population aligns with the definition of natural selection, as advantageous traits improve survival and reproduction rates.
Relate the concept to evolutionary fitness: Advantageous traits increase an organism's fitness, meaning its ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment. Over time, these traits become more common in the population.
Summarize the process: Natural selection leads to the adaptation of populations to their environments by favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction, resulting in an increased frequency of those traits over generations.