Criticisms of the evolutionary theory of aging include which of the following?

• A. It does not adequately explain why some species exhibit negligible senescence.
• B. It proposes that all organisms age at the same rate regardless of genetics.
• C. It suggests that aging increases individual reproductive success.
• D. It claims that aging is entirely determined by environmental factors.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the evolutionary theory of aging: This theory suggests that aging occurs because the force of natural selection weakens with age, as individuals have already reproduced and passed on their genes. It explains aging as a trade-off between reproduction and survival.
2. Critically evaluate the first criticism: 'It does not adequately explain why some species exhibit negligible senescence.' Negligible senescence refers to species that show little to no signs of aging. This criticism highlights a gap in the theory, as it does not fully account for why certain species, like some turtles or lobsters, age differently.
3. Analyze the second criticism: 'It proposes that all organisms age at the same rate regardless of genetics.' This is incorrect because the evolutionary theory of aging acknowledges genetic differences among species and individuals, which influence aging rates.
4. Examine the third criticism: 'It suggests that aging increases individual reproductive success.' This is a misunderstanding of the theory. Aging does not increase reproductive success; rather, the theory explains aging as a consequence of prioritizing early-life reproduction over long-term survival.
5. Review the fourth criticism: 'It claims that aging is entirely determined by environmental factors.' This is also inaccurate, as the evolutionary theory of aging considers both genetic and environmental factors in shaping aging processes.