How do complex adaptations usually evolve?
A) by a single large step due to a highly adaptive mutation
B) by many small steps, but only when each is an improvement over the last step
C) by many small steps, but only when each has a minimal effect on fitness
D) by single large steps, but only when natural selection is strong

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Complex adaptations usually evolve through many small steps, with each step providing a slight improvement over the previous one. This is because complex adaptations involve multiple interacting components, and it is unlikely that all components could be perfectly optimized in a single step. Additionally, natural selection will only favor changes that increase fitness, so each small step must have some benefit to the organism.

How Do Complex Adaptations Usually Evolve