Natural selection changes allele frequencies because some _________ survive and reproduce better than others. a. alleles b. loci c. species d. individuals

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key concept: The question is about how natural selection influences allele frequencies in a population.
2. Understand the role of natural selection: Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than others.
3. Analyze the options: The question asks which factor among alleles, loci, species, or individuals directly affects survival and reproduction under natural selection.
4. Relate the options to the concept: Alleles are different forms of a gene, loci are positions on a chromosome, species is a group of similar individuals, and individuals are single organisms. Natural selection acts on the traits expressed by individuals, which are influenced by their alleles.
5. Choose the correct answer: Since natural selection directly affects which individuals survive and reproduce, the correct answer is d. individuals.

Key Concepts

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. This process leads to changes in allele frequencies within a population over generations, as beneficial traits become more common while less advantageous traits diminish.

Allele Frequencies

Allele frequencies refer to how often a particular allele appears in a population's gene pool. Changes in these frequencies can indicate evolutionary processes at work, such as natural selection, where certain alleles confer survival advantages, leading to their increased prevalence in subsequent generations.

Survival and Reproduction

Survival and reproduction are key components of natural selection. Individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive challenges and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring. This differential survival and reproduction is what drives the evolution of species over time.