Which statement is true with respect to evolution?
A) "If you don't use it, you lose it."
B) Evolutionary success is assessed by the number of one's offspring surviving to reproduce.
C) Evolution benefits the species, in the long run.
D) Evolution benefits the individual.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The success of an individual in evolution is ultimately judged by the number of offspring they produce that survive to reproduce themselves. This is known as reproductive fitness. While evolution can benefit a species in certain circumstances, its main driving force is the success of the individual in passing on their genes to the next generation. "If you don't use it, you lose it" is a popular phrase, but it is not necessarily a rule of evolution. Similarly, while evolution may benefit individuals in certain cases, such as through adaptations that allow them to survive better in their environment, the overall goal of evolution is to maximize reproductive success, not individual benefit.

Which Statement Is True with Respect to Evolution