Charles Darwin proposed that "descent with modification" resulted when organisms of a particular species become adapted to their environment because they possess
A) nonheritable traits that enhance survival and decrease their reproductive success in the local environment.
B) nonheritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.
C) heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.
D) heritable traits that enhance their survival and decrease their reproductive success in the local environment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin proposed that the mechanism of evolution was based on natural selection, where organisms possessing heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in their local environment will have higher chances of passing these traits to their offspring, resulting in a larger proportion of the population having these beneficial traits over time. Therefore, heritable traits that enhance survival and reproductive success in the local environment are the key components of Darwin's theory. Choices A and D are non-heritable traits that cannot be passed on to offspring, while Choice B does not account for the heritability of the traits.

Charles Darwin Proposed That "Descent with Modification" Resulted When Organisms