Question

According to Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, what four factors affect evolution? Explain how each factor affects evolution.

A. Variation, selection, overproduction, and adaptation
B. Mutation, migration, genetic drift, and natural selection
C. Inheritance, competition, reproduction, and adaptation
D. Genetic variation, isolation, mutation, and natural selection

Answer 1

The four factors that affect evolution according to Darwin's On the Origin of Species are mutation, migration, genetic drift, and natural selection.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is B. The four factors that affect evolution according to Darwin's On the Origin of Species are mutation, migration, genetic drift, and natural selection.

1. Mutation: Mutations introduce new genetic variation into a population. These genetic changes can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful to an organism's survival.

2. Migration: Also known as gene flow, migration occurs when individuals from one population move to another population. This movement brings new genes into the population and can change the allele frequencies.

3. Genetic drift: Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies that occur in small populations due to chance events. This can lead to the loss of certain alleles or fixation of others.

4. Natural selection: Natural selection is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to the passing on of these traits to future generations. It is the main driving force behind evolution.