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Which of the following best explains the concept of fitness in the context of natural selection?

Option: 1

 The physical strength and size of an individual


Option: 2

The reproductive success of an individual relative to others in the population


Option: 3

The ability of an individual to learn and adapt to new environmental conditions


Option: 4

The total number of offspring produced by an individual over its lifetime


Answers (1)

best_answer

Fitness is not about physical strength and size, ability to learn and adapt, or the total number of offspring produced by an individual, but about the reproductive success of an individual relative to others in the population. The fittest individuals are those that have the greatest number of offspring that survive and reproduce in subsequent generations, passing on their advantageous traits.

Option(a) is incorrect because Physical strength and size may be advantageous in certain situations, but they are not the only factors that contribute to an individual's fitness. An individual's reproductive success is a more accurate measure of their fitness.

Option(c) is incorrect because While an individual's ability to learn and adapt can be advantageous in certain situations, it is not the same as reproductive success. An individual may be able to learn and adapt to new environmental conditions, but if it does not reproduce successfully, it will not be considered fit.

Option(d) is incorrect because The total number of offspring produced by an individual over its lifetime is not necessarily a good measure of fitness, as not all offspring will survive and reproduce in subsequent generations. Fitness is about the reproductive success of an individual relative to others in the population, not just the total number of offspring produced.

Therefore, option b is the correct answer. 

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