Which of the following statements is true about natural selection?

• A. It results in differential reproductive success of individuals with heritable traits in a particular environment.
• B. It occurs when organisms evolve traits because they need them during their lifetimes.
• C. It always produces organisms that are perfectly adapted to their environment.
• D. It changes allele frequencies in populations without regard to whether traits affect survival or reproduction.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of natural selection: it is a process where individuals with certain heritable traits tend to survive and reproduce more successfully in a given environment compared to others.
2. Recognize that natural selection leads to differential reproductive success, meaning some individuals pass on their genes more than others because their traits provide an advantage.
3. Note that natural selection does not imply organisms evolve traits because they 'need' them during their lifetimes; traits arise from genetic variation and are selected based on environmental pressures.
4. Understand that natural selection does not always produce perfectly adapted organisms; it works with existing variation and environmental conditions, which can change over time.
5. Remember that natural selection changes allele frequencies in populations specifically because those alleles affect survival or reproduction, not randomly or without regard to trait effects.