[Campbell Biology P.522] In Darwin's concept of "descent with modification," as described in... | Practice Question

In Darwin's concept of "descent with modification," as described in the text, what does the term "modification" primarily refer to?

  • A: The shared ancestry among all living organisms.
  • B: The accumulation of differences or adaptations as descendants diverge into various habitats.
  • C: The process by which only the strongest individuals survive and reproduce.
  • D: Random changes in genetic material that lead to new traits.

Explanation

The "Descent with Modification" section states: "Thus, Darwin thought of evolution as a process in which both descent shared ancestry, resulting in shared characteristics and modification the accumulation of differences can be observed."