Of the following, which condition(s) are necessary for natural selection to occur? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

Question

Responses

Individuals must either leave or enter the population.
Individuals must either leave or enter the population.

There must be a struggle to survive so that the weak organisms will die off.
There must be a struggle to survive so that the weak organisms will die off.

Reproduction must occur so that favorable traits can be passed on.
Reproduction must occur so that favorable traits can be passed on.

No mutations can happen so adaptations can be avoided.
No mutations can happen so adaptations can be avoided.

There must be little to no genetic variation in the population so that it is a pure test of mental strength as to who survives.
There must be little to no genetic variation in the population so that it is a pure test of mental strength as to who survives.

Answer 1

The necessary conditions for natural selection to occur are:

1. There must be a struggle to survive so that the weak organisms will die off.
   This refers to the idea that individuals in a population compete for resources and survival, and those less well adapted to their environment are less likely to survive and reproduce.

2. Reproduction must occur so that favorable traits can be passed on.
   For natural selection to affect the population, reproductive success must allow advantageous traits to be passed on to the next generation.

The other options are not necessary for natural selection:

• Individuals must either leave or enter the population.
  While migration can affect genetic diversity and population dynamics, it is not a necessary condition for natural selection to occur.

• No mutations can happen so adaptations can be avoided.
  Mutations can introduce genetic variation, which is actually important for natural selection to act upon.

• There must be little to no genetic variation in the population so that it is a pure test of mental strength as to who survives.
  Natural selection requires genetic variation in a population so that different traits can be favored in different environments.

In conclusion, the two necessary conditions for natural selection are the struggle for survival and reproduction that allows for the passing on of favorable traits.