Two students describe natural selection to their classmates. Student 1 describes that individuals are able to evolve to fit their changing environment and thus result in populations that are well adapted over time. Student 2 proposes that
natural selection occurs when selective pressures act on individuals but evolution affects whole populations. Which
student should refine their explanation of natural selection and why?
A)
Student 1 should revise the explanation because individuals in a
population cannot change the genetic component of their DNA, so they
cannot evolve.
B)
Student 1 should revise the explanation because environments cannot
change enough in an individual's lifetime to see evidence of natural
selection.
C)
Student 2 should revise the explanation because selective pressures only
act on entire populations while survival occurs with individuals.
D)
Student 2 should revise the explanation because it does not account for
the extinction of populations after heavy selective pressures.