In which of the following scenarios would evolution by natural selection take place?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Corn is genetically modified and cloned to make identical crops
Corn is genetically modified and cloned to make identical crops

Microorganisms reproduce asexually, producing identical offspring
Microorganisms reproduce asexually, producing identical offspring

A banana tree branch is planted, producing a clone of the parent tree
A banana tree branch is planted, producing a clone of the parent tree

Penguins reproduce sexually, producing offspring that look different from one another

Answer 1

Evolution by natural selection occurs when there is variation in traits among individuals in a population, where those traits can affect survival and reproduction, leading to changes in the frequency of those traits over generations.

In the scenarios provided, the only one that fits this definition is:

Penguins reproduce sexually, producing offspring that look different from one another.

This scenario involves sexual reproduction, which introduces genetic variation among the offspring. Some offspring may have traits that help them survive and reproduce better in their environment than others, which is the essence of natural selection. The other scenarios involve asexual reproduction or cloning, which do not create genetic diversity and thus do not typically lead to evolution by natural selection.