Which of the following statements best summarizes the concept of evolution?

• A. Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of populations over successive generations.
• B. Evolution is the process by which individuals adapt during their lifetime to survive.
• C. Evolution is the sudden appearance of new species without any ancestral lineage.
• D. Evolution is the random movement of organisms from one habitat to another.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of evolution in biology. Evolution refers to the change in the heritable characteristics of populations over successive generations, driven by mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
2. Step 2: Analyze the first statement: 'Evolution is the change in the heritable characteristics of populations over successive generations.' This aligns with the scientific definition of evolution and includes key elements such as heritable traits and generational change.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second statement: 'Evolution is the process by which individuals adapt during their lifetime to survive.' This is incorrect because evolution occurs at the population level over generations, not within an individual's lifetime. Adaptation during a lifetime is more related to phenotypic plasticity, not evolution.
4. Step 4: Assess the third statement: 'Evolution is the sudden appearance of new species without any ancestral lineage.' This is incorrect because evolution involves gradual changes over time, and new species arise through processes like speciation, which involve ancestral lineage.
5. Step 5: Examine the fourth statement: 'Evolution is the random movement of organisms from one habitat to another.' This is unrelated to the concept of evolution. Movement of organisms is more related to migration or dispersal, not the change in heritable traits over generations.