What does stabilizing selection favor in a population?

What does stabilizing selection favor in a population?

• A. Both extreme traits
• B. The average version of a trait
• C. A new trait that produces no offspring
• D. Only the most extreme individuals

Answer: (B)

Stabilizing selection favors individuals in a population that have traits closer to the average or mean of the trait distribution. This type of selection works to maintain the status quo for a particular trait, reducing variation and favoring those with intermediate phenotypes. For example, in the case of human birth weight, infants of average weight are more likely to survive than those who are either significantly underweight or overweight. Consequently, stabilizing selection acts against the extremes of the trait distribution, promoting a uniformity that can enhance overall population stability. This selection process ensures that the traits best suited to the specific environment are preserved, leading to greater reproductive success for those individuals that exhibit the average traits.

Stabilizing selection favors individuals in a population that have traits closer to the average or mean of the trait distribution. This type of selection works to maintain the status quo for a particular trait, reducing variation and favoring those with intermediate phenotypes.

For example, in the case of human birth weight, infants of average weight are more likely to survive than those who are either significantly underweight or overweight. Consequently, stabilizing selection acts against the extremes of the trait distribution, promoting a uniformity that can enhance overall population stability. This selection process ensures that the traits best suited to the specific environment are preserved, leading to greater reproductive success for those individuals that exhibit the average traits.