Question

what type of selection occurs when individuals in a population, with the intermediate traits are selected for?
a. directional selection
b. stabilizing selection
c. disruptive selection
d. convergent selection

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Directional selection (A) favors one extreme trait.
• Stabilizing selection (B) favors intermediate traits, reducing variation and stabilizing the population around the mean (intermediate) trait.
• Disruptive selection (C) favors two extreme traits.
• Convergent selection (D) is about unrelated species developing similar traits, not about intermediate trait selection.

Since the question is about selecting for intermediate traits, stabilizing selection matches.

Answer:

B. stabilizing selection