Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between environmental catastrophes and natural selection?

• A. Environmental catastrophes eliminate the need for natural selection.
• B. Natural selection only occurs as a result of environmental catastrophes.
• C. Natural selection prevents environmental catastrophes from affecting populations.
• D. Environmental catastrophes are not required for natural selection to occur, but they can influence the process.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of natural selection: Natural selection is the process by which individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.
2. Recognize that environmental catastrophes are extreme events (e.g., volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, or droughts) that can drastically alter ecosystems and affect populations.
3. Clarify the relationship: Environmental catastrophes are not required for natural selection to occur. Natural selection happens continuously as populations interact with their environments, regardless of catastrophic events.
4. Explain how catastrophes can influence natural selection: Environmental catastrophes can create new selective pressures by changing the environment, leading to shifts in which traits are advantageous for survival and reproduction.
5. Conclude that natural selection is a broader process that operates independently of catastrophes, but catastrophes can act as a catalyst for rapid evolutionary changes in populations.