The figure shown here represents stabilizing selection. What happens when an individual is produced that possesses a trait far away from the mean value?
A) That extreme individual likely will not survive and reproduce.
B) That extreme individual will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
C) That extreme individual will have neither an advantage nor a disadvantage over other individuals.
D) All phenotypes have equal likelihood of surviving and reproducing.
E) The average phenotype is less likely to survive and reproduce. Stabilizing selection selects against individuals that are far from the mean value of a given trait.

Question

The figure shown here represents stabilizing selection. What happens when an individual is produced that possesses a trait far away from the mean value? 
A) That extreme individual likely will not survive and reproduce. 
B) That extreme individual will be more likely to survive and reproduce. 
C) That extreme individual will have neither an advantage nor a disadvantage over other individuals. 
D) All phenotypes have equal likelihood of surviving and reproducing. 
E) The average phenotype is less likely to survive and reproduce. Stabilizing selection selects against individuals that are far from the mean value of a given trait.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stabilizing selection favors individuals with intermediate phenotypes, meaning those that possess traits close to the mean value. Therefore, individuals that possess a trait far away from the mean value are likely to be selected against and have reduced survival and reproductive success.

The Figure Shown Here Represents Stabilizing Selection