Which of the following is the best modern definition of evolution?
A) change in allele frequencies in a population over time
B) inheritance of acquired characters
C) survival of the fittest
D) descent without modification

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This definition describes the core mechanism of evolution, which is the change in the frequency of alleles (different versions of genes) within a population over generations. It encompasses both the non-random processes of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow, as well as the random process of mutation that introduces new alleles into the population. The other options either describe outdated or inaccurate ideas about evolution (such as inheritance of acquired characters) or only capture part of the process (such as survival of the fittest, which is a result of natural selection but not the definition of evolution itself).

Which of the Following Is the Best Modern Definition of Evolution