Which statement does not represent one of Darwin's observations?
A) All individuals have an equal chance to survive and reproduce.
B) Changes in populations are gradual and take place over long periods of time.
C) Members of the same species may exhibit considerable variation.
D) Some characteristics are heritable and passed on to offspring.
E) Some characteristics afford their possessor a better chance of survival.

Question

Which statement does not represent one of Darwin's observations?  
A) All individuals have an equal chance to survive and reproduce.
B) Changes in populations are gradual and take place over long periods of time.
C) Members of the same species may exhibit considerable variation.
D) Some characteristics are heritable and passed on to offspring.
E) Some characteristics afford their possessor a better chance of survival.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin did not believe that all individuals have an equal chance to survive and reproduce. In fact, he observed that some individuals are better adapted to their environment and have a higher chance of survival and reproduction. This is the basis of natural selection, which he proposed as the mechanism driving evolution.

Which Statement Does Not Represent One of Darwin's Observations