Question

Suppose individual plants with the tallest phenotypes (which is genetically based) survived and reproduced more than other genotypes. This is an example of _____.

A. disruptive selection
B. gene flow
C. stabilizing selection
D. directional selection
E. genetic drift

Answer 1

Directional selection occurs when one of two extreme phenotypes is selected, resulting in a change in the genetic variance within a population. The answer is option D.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the given information, the example of individual plants with the tallest phenotypes surviving and reproducing more than other genotypes is an example of directional selection. In directional selection, one of two extreme phenotypes is favored, and the distribution shifts toward that extreme.

This is observed when individuals with the tallest phenotypes are selected for survival and reproduction, resulting in an increase in the frequency of those alleles in the population. This type of selection typically leads to a change in the genetic variance within a population.