Question

1. a population of seed eating birds with beaks that are suited to average - sized seeds best demonstrate the results of

a. inheritance of acquired characteristics.
b. genetic drift.
c. stabilizing selection.
d. directional selection.
e. disruptive selection.

Explanation:

Stabilizing selection favors the average - sized trait (in this case, beaks suited to average - sized seeds), reducing the frequency of extreme traits. Inheritance of acquired characteristics is not a valid evolutionary mechanism. Genetic drift is due to random changes, not related to seed - beak adaptation here. Directional selection favors one extreme, and disruptive selection favors both extremes over the average.

Answer:

C. Stabilizing selection