Question

which of the following is the best example of natural selection as a mechanism for change in a population?
a. a striped bass lays hundreds of eggs. when the offspring hatch from the eggs, they are all immediately eaten by predators.
b. most lobsters are a dark greenish brown, but some are born with different colors. on rare occasions, lobsters are born blue, yellow, or albino
c. a single rabbit is born with longer than usual legs and is able to run faster than all others
d. during an unusually cold winter, many arctic foxes die, but the foxes with the thickest fur survive and reproduce.

Explanation:

Natural selection is the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. In option D, arctic foxes with thicker fur have a favorable trait (better - suited for cold conditions) that allows them to survive an unusually cold winter and reproduce, which is a clear example of natural selection. Option A just shows predation without any selection based on traits. Option B only shows variation in color without a clear survival - related selection pressure. Option C shows a single organism with a trait but no indication of how it affects survival and reproduction in the population context compared to D.

Answer:

D. During an unusually cold winter, many arctic foxes die, but the foxes with the thickest fur survive and reproduce.