Humber Admissions Practice Test

Which statement best describes natural selection?

1. A random process leading to genetic mutations

2. A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment

3. A method of genetic engineering

4. A human-driven selection for specific traits

The correct answer is: A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment

Natural selection is best described as a natural process that leads to the evolution of organisms that are best adapted to their environment. This concept, first introduced by Charles Darwin, explains how species evolve over time through variations in traits that confer advantages in survival and reproduction. In this process, individuals with traits that enhance their ability to survive and reproduce in a given environment are more likely to pass on those traits to the next generation. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, leading to evolutionary change. This is a fundamental mechanism of evolution, illustrating how species adapt to their surroundings. The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of natural selection. For instance, random processes and genetic mutations can play a role in evolution, but they are not synonymous with natural selection. Genetic engineering and human-driven selection refer specifically to human intervention in the breeding or modification of organisms, which diverges from the natural processes described by natural selection.