Question

which organisms are most likely to survive in a population in which disruptive selection is occurring?
organisms that have average traits
organisms that have extreme traits
organisms that have the greatest number of offspring
organisms that are the largest and strongest

Explanation:

Disruptive selection favors extreme phenotypes over intermediate (average) ones. It occurs when environmental conditions favor two or more extreme traits. For example, in a population of birds, if there are two food sources - one requiring a large beak to crack hard seeds and another requiring a small beak to pick insects from crevices, birds with extreme (either very large or very small) beak sizes will be favored. Organisms with average - sized beaks may not be efficient at either food - gathering task. The number of offspring is more related to reproductive success in general, but in the context of disruptive selection, it is the extreme traits that are selected for. Also, being the largest and strongest (a form of an extreme trait) might be relevant in some cases, but disruptive selection can involve multiple types of extreme traits (not just size/strength). Overall, the key concept is that in disruptive selection, extreme traits are favored.

Answer:

organisms that have extreme traits