Which of the following is an example of stabilizing selection?
A) The birth weight at which newborn humans are most likely to survive and the average weight of newborn humans are about the same.
B) There is an increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.
C) There is an increase in the number of different breeds of dog.
D) Garter snakes with different coloration patterns behave differently when threatened.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors the average characteristics of a population and eliminates extremes. The birth weight at which newborn humans are most likely to survive is an example of stabilizing selection because babies that are significantly smaller or larger than the average birth weight are at a higher risk of health complications and mortality. This results in the average birth weight remaining relatively constant over time. The other options do not describe stabilizing selection.

Which of the Following Is an Example of Stabilizing Selection