Which of the following is not an observation or inference on which natural selection is based?
A) There is heritable variation among individuals.
B) Poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring.
C) Species produce more offspring than the environment can support.
D) Individuals whose characteristics are best suited to the environment generally leave more offspring than those whose characteristics are less well suited.
E) Only a fraction of an individual's offspring may survive.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement that poorly adapted individuals never produce offspring is not necessarily true, as some individuals may produce offspring even if they are not well adapted to their environment. Natural selection is based on the observations and inferences that there is heritable variation among individuals, species produce more offspring than the environment can support, individuals whose characteristics are best suited to the environment generally leave more offspring, and only a fraction of an individual's offspring may survive.

Which of the Following Is Not an Observation or Inference