Which of the following is not consistent with evolutionary theory? a. All living organisms share a common ancestor; b. The environment affects which organism survives to reproduce; c. Natural selection always favors the same traits, regardless of environment; d. Humans are not necessarily the best adapted organisms.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key concepts related to evolutionary theory, such as common ancestry, natural selection, and adaptation to the environment.
2. Analyze option a: Understand that evolutionary theory posits that all living organisms have descended from a common ancestor, which is a fundamental concept in evolution.
3. Evaluate option b: Consider how environmental factors influence survival and reproduction, which is a principle of natural selection where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than others.
4. Examine option c: Reflect on the idea that natural selection favors different traits in different environments. Traits that are advantageous in one environment might not be in another, indicating that natural selection is not constant but varies with environmental conditions.
5. Review option d: Recognize that evolutionary theory does not claim that humans are the pinnacle of evolution, but rather that different species are adapted to their specific environments.

Key Concepts

Common Ancestry

The concept of common ancestry posits that all living organisms share a common ancestor from which they have evolved over time. This idea is fundamental to evolutionary biology, as it explains the similarities and differences among species through the lens of descent with modification.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This process leads to the gradual evolution of species as advantageous traits become more common in a population, while less advantageous traits diminish.

Adaptation to Environment

Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment through evolutionary changes. This concept highlights that traits favored by natural selection can vary depending on environmental conditions, meaning that what is advantageous in one context may not be in another.