Natural selection is characterized by differential survival and reproduction based on fitness.

Natural selection is characterized by differential survival and reproduction based on fitness.

• A. All individuals reproduce equally
• B. Unfit individuals die and fail to reproduce
• C. Humans decide which individuals breed
• D. It occurs only in plants

Answer: (B)

Natural selection involves differential survival and reproduction based on how well traits help an organism leave offspring. The statement that unfit individuals die and fail to reproduce captures this idea: individuals with lower fitness are less likely to survive to reproduce or to produce many offspring, so their genes contribute less to future generations. Over time, advantageous traits become more common because they produce more surviving, reproducing offspring. The other options don’t fit natural selection. If everyone reproduced equally, there would be no differential reproductive success to drive change. If humans decide which individuals breed, that’s artificial or purposeful selection rather than natural selection. And natural selection occurs across many organisms, not just plants.

Natural selection involves differential survival and reproduction based on how well traits help an organism leave offspring. The statement that unfit individuals die and fail to reproduce captures this idea: individuals with lower fitness are less likely to survive to reproduce or to produce many offspring, so their genes contribute less to future generations. Over time, advantageous traits become more common because they produce more surviving, reproducing offspring.

The other options don’t fit natural selection. If everyone reproduced equally, there would be no differential reproductive success to drive change. If humans decide which individuals breed, that’s artificial or purposeful selection rather than natural selection. And natural selection occurs across many organisms, not just plants.