Question

Steps involved in natural selection include:

1. Preservation of genes of best-adapted offspring
2. Overproduction of offspring with variation in traits
3. Differential survival in the face of environmental challenges

Which of the following is the sequence in which these steps take place?
A. 3, 2, 1
B. 1, 3, 2
C. 2, 1, 3
D. 2, 3, 1

Answer 1

The correct sequence for the steps of natural selection is overproduction of offspring with variation in traits (2), followed by differential survival due to environmental challenges (3), and finally the preservation of advantageous traits in the gene pool (1), making option D (2, 3, 1) the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The steps involved in natural selection occur in a specific sequence to produce evolutionary change in populations. Firstly, organisms tend to overproduce offspring (step 2) with variations in traits, among which some are better equipped for survival. This leads to differential survival (step 3) where those with advantageous traits are more likely to survive environmental challenges. Lastly, the preservation of genes (step 1) of the best-adapted offspring occurs as these traits are passed on to future generations, contributing to the overall fitness of the population.

Therefore, the correct sequence of steps in natural selection is Overproduction of offspring with variation in traits (2), followed by Differential survival in the face of environmental challenges (3), and ending with the Preservation of genes of best-adapted offspring (1). The correct sequence is hence option D. 2, 3, 1.