Question

a) as individuals with advantageous heritable traits have more offspring, the proportion of individuals in the population with those traits will increase.

b) as individuals with advantageous heritable traits have more offspring, the proportion of individuals in the population with those traits will decrease.

c) as individuals with disadvantageous heritable traits have fewer offspring, the proportion of individuals in the population with those traits will increase.

d) as individuals with disadvantageous heritable traits have more offspring, the proportion of

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option based on the concept of natural selection (a key concept in Biology, specifically Evolutionary Biology).

• Option A: If individuals with advantageous heritable traits have more offspring, those traits will be passed on more, so their proportion in the population increases. This aligns with natural selection.
• Option B: Contradicts natural selection—advantageous traits should increase, not decrease.
• Option C: If individuals with disadvantageous traits have fewer offspring, their proportion should decrease, not increase.
• Option D: Disadvantageous traits having more offspring goes against natural selection logic.

Answer:

A. As individuals with advantageous heritable traits have more offspring, the proportion of individuals in the population with those traits will increase.