Question

directional selection occurs when selective pressures favor traits that are? a. close to the mean. b. toward one extreme. c. at both extremes. d. in a normal distribution

Explanation:

Directional selection is a type of natural selection. In directional selection, environmental pressures act to favor one extreme phenotype over other phenotypes (including the mean or the other extreme). Option A is incorrect because stabilizing selection favors traits close to the mean. Option C is incorrect as that describes disruptive selection (favoring both extremes). Option D is incorrect as normal distribution is a statistical concept and not related to the direction of selection pressure in this context. So the correct option is B.

Answer:

B. toward one extreme.