Campbell Biology in Focus
Campbell Biology in Focus
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9780134710679
Author: Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Rebecca Orr
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 19, Problem 1TYU

Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?

  1. A.    There is heritable variation among individuals.
  2. B.     Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring.
  3. C.     Species produce more offspring than the environment can support.
  4. D.    Only a fraction of an individual's offspring may survive.
Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Natural selection is an important process that leads to evolutionary changes. In this process, nature selects species that have a great survival ability in the environment and produces a high number of offspring. Natural selection is discovered by Charles Darwin. The mechanism of natural selection is based on the survival and reproductive success of the species.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer:

Natural selection is not based on the statement “poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”. Therefore, option (B) is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Natural selection is a mechanism in which nature selects species that have a better survival ability or fittest to the environment and produce more numbers of offspring.

Option (B) is given as “Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”.

As the natural selection is not based on “poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”, it is the right answer.

Hence, option (B) is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (A) is given as “There is heritable variation among individuals”.

Natural selection is a key step in the evolution. The individuals having heritable variations fit to the environment and are selected. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (C) is given as “Species produce more offspring than the environment can support”.

Nature selects the individual that produces a high number of offspring. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (D) is given as “Only a fraction of an individual’s offspring may survive”.

Nature selects individuals who fit to the environment, only a fraction of an individual’s offspring fits to the environment. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Hence, options (A), (C) and (D) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Natural selection is not based on an observation denoting “poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring”.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?a. Over time, Equus developed strength, intelligence, speed,and durable grinding teeth.b. British land snails mainly have two different phenotypes.c. Swiss starlings usually lay four or five eggs, therebyincreasing their chances of more offspring.d. Drug resistance increases with each generation; theresistant bacteria survive, and the nonresistant bacteriaget killed off.e. All of these are correct
Which of the following is an example of natural selection? Select one: O A. In a very wet year, some plants grow unusually tall stalks and large leaves. B. Dogs with longer legs are able to run faster than dogs with shorter legs. C. Squirrels may have long or short tails. D. After several unusually cold winters, squirrels with an extra layer of fat have more offspring.
In Darwin's theory of natural selection, which of the following is a source of evolution: a. Individuals with random mutations who die without reproducing. b. Individuals with random mutations who are able to reproduce. c. Individuals who do not vary from their progenitors. d. Intelligent and purposeful design.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
  • Text book image
    Concepts of Biology
    Biology
    ISBN:9781938168116
    Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
    Publisher:OpenStax College
    Text book image
    Biology (MindTap Course List)
    Biology
    ISBN:9781337392938
    Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
GCSE Biology - Adaptations #79; Author: Cognito;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC-u8xcZYSM;License: Standard Youtube License