Natural selection involves energetic trade-offs between ________.
A) choosing how many offspring to produce over the course of a lifetime and how long to live
B) producing large numbers of gametes when employing internal fertilization versus fewer numbers of gametes when employing external fertilization
C) increasing the number of individuals produced during each reproductive episode and a corresponding decrease in parental care
D) high survival rates of offspring and the cost of parental care

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Natural selection involves the balance between producing offspring with high survival rates and the cost of parental care. If offspring survival rates are high, parents may invest more in their care, but if survival rates are low, parents may choose to produce more offspring instead of providing extensive care. This trade-off between offspring survival and parental investment is a critical aspect of natural selection. Choice A is incorrect because natural selection is not based solely on choosing how many offspring to produce over a lifetime or how long to live. Choice B is incorrect because gamete production is not a major factor in natural selection. Choice C is incorrect because there is no evidence to support this energetic trade-off between the number of individuals produced during each reproductive episode and parental care.

Natural Selection Involves Energetic Trade-Offs Between ________