Question

There are four very important things that must happen in order for natural selection to occur. Which of the following statements is incorrect with regard to the requirements of natural selection? OPTIONS There must be fewer offspring produced than can survive. There must be variation within the population. The traits of individuals must be able to be inherited. There must be differential survival and reproduction.

Answer 1

The statement "There must be fewer offspring produced than can survive" is not entirely correct with regard to the requirements of natural selection. It is true that there must be competition for resources, but the crucial point is not that there must be fewer offspring produced than can survive, but rather that some offspring are more likely to survive and reproduce than others based on their traits. This leads to differential survival and reproduction, which is the core mechanism of natural selection. In other words, natural selection is not simply about limiting the number of offspring but about favoring certain traits that confer advantages in survival and reproduction. So, the correct statement regarding the requirements of natural selection is "There must be differential survival and reproduction."