Question

If a person scatters a handful of garden pea plant seeds in one area, how would natural selection work in this situation?

a) Pea plant seeds will compete for resources, leading to increased genetic diversity.
b) The traits of the pea plants will remain constant due to the scattering of seeds.
c) Over time, traits beneficial for survival in that environment will become more prevalent.
d) Natural selection doesn’t affect plant growth in scattered seed areas.

Answer 1

Natural selection in a group of garden pea plants will favor the prevalence of traits beneficial for survival in that environment, and these traits will become more common in the population over time, as observed by Mendel with heredity in peas.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a person scatters a handful of garden pea plant seeds in one area, natural selection will work through the process where traits that offer an advantage in the environment tend to be passed on more frequently to the next generation. In this scenario, pea plants that have traits beneficial for survival, such as efficient use of water, or resistance to local pests and diseases, will generally grow more successfully and produce more offspring. Consequently, these advantageous traits will become more prevalent in the population over time. This is consistent with the principles of heredity and genetic diversity that were revealed by Mendel in his studies with garden peas. He observed how traits were inherited through generations, which is a key component of how natural selection operates.