What type of selection on phenotypes is this?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To determine the type of selection affecting the phenotype, I’ll evaluate how the graph relates to the three classic patterns of selection.
Option 1: Directional. This occurs when one extreme phenotype is favored over the other, shifting the population mean in one direction. The diagram, however, shows the mean staying roughly centered and both tails being selected against, not a shift toward an extreme. So directional selection is not supported here.
Option 2: Stabilizing. This form of selection favors intermediate phenotypes and disfavors extreme variants. The image depicts a peak in the middle of the distribution with the dashed line (the original population) becoming narrower and higher after selection, while the tails are reduced. This precisely illustrates stabilizing selection, where individuals near the average have higher fitness.
Option 3: Disruptive. Disruptive selection favors the extremes and disfavors intermediate phenotypes, leading to a bimodal distribution with two peaks. The provided figure shows a single central peak after selection, not two peaks, so disruptive selection is inconsistent with the illustration.
In summary, the visual evidence aligns with stabilizing selection, as intermediates are favored and both extremes are selected against, narrowing the distribution around the mean. Therefore, the correct choice is Stabilizing.

What type of selection on phenotypes is this?Single choice

Similar Questions

Male deer compete for mates by fighting with their antlers. The male deer with the largest antlers tend to secure the most mates. Why do we not see a large number of male deer with super large antlers?

Stabilizing selection tends to genetic diversity within a population.

The type of natural selection that favors individuals with intermediate phenotypes and selects against those with extreme phenotypes is called selection.

The graph below shows a fitness curve based on body size for a fictional population of butterflies. Assuming all the necessary and sufficient conditions for selection to occur are met in this population, what pattern of selection does this fitness curve predict will occur?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler