How can harsh winters benefit some species in the context of natural selection and evolution?

• A. They favor individuals with traits that increase survival in cold conditions, leading to adaptation over generations.
• B. They cause all individuals in a population to migrate to warmer areas, preventing any evolutionary change.
• C. They ensure that only the largest species survive, regardless of other traits.
• D. They eliminate all genetic variation within a population.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of natural selection: Natural selection is the process where individuals with traits that provide a survival or reproductive advantage in a specific environment are more likely to pass on those traits to the next generation.
2. Analyze the impact of harsh winters: Harsh winters create a challenging environment where only individuals with traits that help them survive cold conditions (e.g., thicker fur, fat storage, or efficient metabolism) are more likely to survive and reproduce.
3. Recognize the role of adaptation: Over generations, the traits that increase survival in cold conditions become more common in the population, leading to adaptation to the harsh winter environment.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: Harsh winters do not cause all individuals to migrate, nor do they ensure survival based solely on size. Additionally, they do not eliminate all genetic variation, as variation is essential for natural selection to occur.
5. Conclude the correct answer: Harsh winters favor individuals with traits that increase survival in cold conditions, driving adaptation and evolutionary change over generations.