The Question is from neet-zoology , and it was created by the author A SUBRAMANYAM

Question

Which of the following is NOT a key factor influencing the process of natural selection?

A SUBRAMANYAM · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: D
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
 **Primary Concept**: Natural Selection
 **Related Topics**: Evolution, Genetics, Population Genetics
 **Prerequisites**: Understanding of basic genetics, variation, and inheritance.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
The question asks to identify a factor that is NOT key to natural selection.
**Method & Steps**:
1. **Understanding Natural Selection**: Natural selection is a process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This leads to the evolution of populations over time.
2. **Key Factors of Natural Selection**:
    * **Variation within a population:** Individuals within a population show variations in their traits.
    * **Inheritance of traits:** These traits are heritable, passed from parents to offspring.
    * **Differential reproductive success:** Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their traits.
3. **Analyzing the Options**:
    * **Option A (Variation within a population):**  Crucial for natural selection. Without variation, there's nothing for selection to act upon.
    * **Option B (Inheritance of traits):** Essential for natural selection.  Beneficial traits must be passed down to future generations to have an evolutionary impact.
    * **Option C (Differential reproductive success):**  The core of natural selection.  Individuals with traits that increase survival and reproduction will leave more offspring.
    * **Option D (Equal survival rates for all individuals):** This directly contradicts natural selection.  Natural selection requires that some individuals survive and reproduce more successfully than others.
**Result**: Option D is the correct answer because equal survival rates negate the differential reproductive success that drives natural selection.
**Verification**:  The definition of natural selection explicitly requires differential survival and reproduction.
 ## OPTION ANALYSIS
A ✓: Variation is essential; without it, there's nothing to select.
B ✓: Inheritance is crucial; advantageous traits must be passed on.
C ✓: Differential reproductive success is the driving force of natural selection.
D :x: Equal survival rates contradict the fundamental principle of natural selection, which relies on differences in survival and reproduction.
 ## LEARNING AIDS
 **Common Mistakes**:
  1. **Confusing natural selection with other evolutionary mechanisms:**  Students might confuse natural selection with genetic drift or gene flow.
  2. **Overlooking the importance of differential reproductive success:** Students might focus on survival alone, neglecting the equally important aspect of reproductive success.
 **Quick Tips**:
  1. **Remember the three key components:** Variation, inheritance, and differential reproductive success.
  2. **Think about what would prevent evolution from occurring:** The absence of any of the three components would halt natural selection.

A SUBRAMANYAM · Answer

Variation within a population

A SUBRAMANYAM · Answer

Inheritance of traits

A SUBRAMANYAM · Answer

Differential reproductive success

A SUBRAMANYAM · Answer

The correct Option is "Equal survival rates for all individuals"

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