[Campbell Biology P.534] Which of the following is an observation or inference on which natu... | Practice Question

Which of the following is an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?

  • A: Individuals do not vary in their heritable characteristics.
  • B: Only well-adapted individuals produce offspring.
  • C: Species produce more offspring than the environment can support.
  • D: Nearly all of each individual's offspring will survive and reproduce.

Explanation

Overproduction of offspring and the resulting struggle for existence, combined with heritable variation, are key observations on which the theory of natural selection is based. This leads to differential survival and reproduction.