[Campbell Biology P.546] In what sense is natural selection more "predictable" than genetic ... | Practice Question
In what sense is natural selection more "predictable" than genetic drift?
A: Natural selection leads to random changes, while genetic drift has a specific direction.
B: Natural selection consistently increases the frequencies of alleles that provide a reproductive advantage, whereas genetic drift causes random fluctuations in allele frequencies.
C: Genetic drift always results in adaptation, while natural selection does not.
D: Both are equally predictable, as they both lead to adaptive evolution.
Explanation
The text states that natural selection is 'not random' and 'consistently increases the frequencies of alleles that provide reproductive advantage, thus leading to adaptive evolution.' In contrast, genetic drift refers to random fluctuations in allele frequencies due to chance events.