Question

choose 1 answer:
a natural selection results in a higher rate of survival and reproduction for individuals with traits that are well suited to the local environment, allowing these traits to become more common in the population.
b natural selection leads to an increase in the frequency of traits that will help organisms survive in any environment they may encounter.
c natural selection identifies traits that organisms need in order to adapt to their environment and promotes the development of these traits in the population.

Explanation:

• Option A: Natural selection favors traits suited to the local environment, increasing survival and reproduction of individuals with those traits, making them more common. This matches the concept of natural selection (adaptation to local conditions, not all environments).
• Option B: Traits helpful in "any environment" are incorrect. Natural selection is environment - specific; a trait beneficial in one environment may not be in another.
• Option C: Natural selection does not "identify" or "promote development" of traits. It acts on existing heritable traits, favoring those that enhance survival/reproduction in the current environment.

Answer:

A. Natural selection results in a higher rate of survival and reproduction for individuals with traits that are well suited to the local environment, allowing these traits to become more common in the population.