Final answer:
Among the provided statements, the false one is that variations in traits are primarily due to acquired characteristics. In reality, natural selection operates on heritable genetic variations that lead to adaptations as those best suited to an environment survive to reproduce.
Step-by-step explanation:
Natural Selection and Evolution
Natural selection is a fundamental concept in the study of evolution, where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits. One key aspect is that natural selection acts on phenotypic variations—those variations we can observe in an individual's traits. However, there is a common misconception addressed by the options given in the question, related to the source of these variations.
The false statement among the options provided is b) Variations in traits are primarily due to acquired characteristics. This is incorrect as the theory of natural selection posits that heritable genetic variations are responsible for differences in traits among individuals, rather than characteristics acquired during an individual's lifetime, which cannot be passed on to the next generation.
Overall, natural selection leads to stronger adaptations within a population, as advantageous traits become more common over generations. It results from inherited variations that confer an advantage in the competition for resources. These principles were first set out by Charles Darwin and have been validated by a great body of evolutionary biology research since.