Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Which of the following is a premise of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection?

Rationale

Favorable inherited traits increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction.

This statement captures the essence of Darwin's theory of natural selection, where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits to the next generation, thus driving evolutionary change.

A (Organisms acquire traits upon need.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice reflects a misunderstanding of Darwinian evolution. Darwin's theory does not support the idea that organisms can consciously acquire traits based on their needs; rather, it posits that traits are inherited and arise through random mutations over generations.

B (Traits acquired during an organism's lifetime are passed to offspring.) YOUR ANSWER

This option suggests the Lamarckian idea of inheritance of acquired characteristics, which has been largely discredited. Darwin's theory maintains that only genetic traits, which are inherited, can be passed to the next generation, not traits developed through an organism's lifetime.

C (Favorable inherited traits increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction.) CORRECT

This statement is a core premise of natural selection, emphasizing how advantageous traits lead to greater reproductive success. Organisms with such traits are more likely to survive environmental challenges and reproduce, thereby ensuring those traits are passed down.

D (Competition leads to a greater number of individuals in a population.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice incorrectly suggests that competition results in an increase in population size. In fact, competition among individuals often limits population growth, as resources are finite and only those best adapted to the environment will thrive and reproduce.

Conclusion

Darwin's theory of natural selection is fundamentally about the survival and reproductive success of organisms with favorable inherited traits. While options A, B, and D misinterpret or misrepresent crucial concepts, option C accurately reflects the principle that drives natural selection, demonstrating how advantageous traits can lead to evolutionary changes within populations over time.

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