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nmdcat.online July 14, 2026

Which of the following statements best illustrates a common misconception about how natural selection operates?

A. Natural selection acts on individuals, but only populations evolve over time.
B. Natural selection has no intentions or long-term goals; it cannot anticipate future environmental needs.
C. Natural selection acts on pre-existing variations and does not create new traits on demand.
D. Natural selection causes individual organisms to mutate their own genes to adapt to environmental changes.
✓

📝 Explanation

Individuals do not adapt by mutating their own genomes in response to environmental demands. Mutations are random; natural selection simply filters pre-existing genetic variations.

📖 Additional Information

  • Natural selection acts on individuals, but only populations evolve over time.
  • Natural selection has no intentions or long-term goals; it cannot anticipate future environmental needs.
  • Natural selection acts on pre-existing variations and does not create new traits on demand.
  • Natural selection causes individual organisms to mutate their own genes to adapt to environmental changes.

Individuals do not adapt by mutating their own genomes in response to environmental demands. Mutations are random; natural selection simply filters pre-existing genetic variations.

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