What is stabilising selection?

What is stabilising selection?

• A. A type of selection that increases genetic diversity
• B. A type of natural selection where genetic diversity decreases
• C. A form of selection that leads to the formation of new species
• D. A process that eliminates all variations in traits

Answer: (B)

Stabilising selection refers to a type of natural selection that favors the average or intermediate phenotypes in a population, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity. This occurs because extreme traits are selected against, reducing the variety of phenotypes within the population. For example, in a species of birds where there is a selection for a specific range of body size, individuals that are too small or too large may be less fit for survival, thus making the intermediate size more prevalent over generations. As a result, stabilising selection tends to maintain the status quo of a trait rather than introducing new variations or eliminating all forms of variability.

Stabilising selection refers to a type of natural selection that favors the average or intermediate phenotypes in a population, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity. This occurs because extreme traits are selected against, reducing the variety of phenotypes within the population. For example, in a species of birds where there is a selection for a specific range of body size, individuals that are too small or too large may be less fit for survival, thus making the intermediate size more prevalent over generations.

As a result, stabilising selection tends to maintain the status quo of a trait rather than introducing new variations or eliminating all forms of variability.