Praxis II Biology

Answer: A, Darwin’s theory that heritable traits make some individuals of a species more adept at adapting to changes in the environment is called natural selection. It is also termed “survival of the fittest”.

Key Takeaway: The natural genetic variation within a population of organisms means that some individuals will survive and reproduce more successfully than others in their current environment. The genetic trait has given the organism some advantage, such as an increased ability to withstand weather changes or an increased ability to hide from predators. Natural selection also gives rise to individuals with enhanced reproductive success.