The tendency of individuals to choose mates who are like themselves is called
a. Natural selection
b. Sexual selection
c. Assortative mating
d. The founder effect
e. Random mating

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of mate selection: In biology, mate selection refers to the process by which individuals choose their partners for reproduction. This can be influenced by various factors such as physical traits, genetic compatibility, or behavioral characteristics.
2. Review the term 'assortative mating': Assortative mating is a non-random mating pattern where individuals tend to choose partners who are phenotypically similar to themselves. This can include traits like height, skin color, or even cultural preferences.
3. Compare the other options: a) Natural selection refers to the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce. b) Sexual selection is a subset of natural selection focusing on traits that increase an individual's chances of mating. d) The founder effect refers to genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population. e) Random mating implies no preference for specific traits in mate selection.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: Based on the definitions, natural selection, sexual selection, the founder effect, and random mating do not specifically describe the tendency to choose mates similar to oneself.
5. Conclude that the correct term for the tendency to choose mates who are like oneself is 'assortative mating'.

Key Concepts

Assortative Mating

Assortative mating is a mating pattern where individuals select partners based on specific traits, leading to a higher likelihood of mating with those who share similar characteristics. This can enhance genetic similarities within a population and influence evolutionary processes by affecting allele frequencies.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. This process leads to the gradual adaptation of species to their environments, shaping the genetic makeup of populations over time.

Sexual Selection

Sexual selection is a form of natural selection that arises from the preference of one sex for certain characteristics in potential mates. This can lead to the development of traits that may not necessarily enhance survival but increase mating success, such as elaborate plumage in birds.