Final answer:
An instinct is a complex behavior with a uniform pattern throughout a species that is unlearned. 'Uniform' is the correct answer, and such behaviors are vital for an organism's survival, allowing them to respond instinctively to environmental stimuli without prior learning.
Step-by-step explanation:
An instinct is a complex behavior that has a uniform pattern throughout a species and is unlearned. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is a) Uniform. Instincts involve complex patterns of behavior and are thought to be more prevalent in lower animals than in humans. Innate behaviors such as instinctual behaviors are not altered by changes in the environment and are vital for the survival and reproduction of a species.
Dogs shaking water off their fur, infants suckling, and birds building nests are examples of innate or instinctual behaviors that are present at birth and do not change in response to the environment. These behaviors are important as they allow an organism to respond quickly and effectively to environmental stimuli without the need for prior learning or experience.