Question

question 12 of 25
directional selection
stabilizing selection
disruptive selection
answer bank
individual plants of a bush species have leaves that vary from small to large. in future generations, there are a greater proportion of trees with medium - sized leaves.
individuals of a lizard species vary in color from light brown to dark brown. after several generations, the lizards are mostly light brown.
individual plants of a tree species have flowers that range from light pink to dark red. after several generations, most trees have flowers that are either light pink or dark red.

Explanation:

• Directional selection favors one extreme trait (light brown lizards), shifting the population toward that extreme.
• Stabilizing selection favors the intermediate trait (medium-sized leaves), reducing variation around the mean.
• Disruptive selection favors both extreme traits (light pink and dark red flowers), splitting the population into two extremes.

Answer:

Directional selection: Individuals of a lizard species vary in color from light brown to dark brown. After several generations, the lizards are mostly light brown.
Stabilizing selection: Individual plants of a bush species have leaves that vary from small to large. In future generations, there are a greater proportion of trees with medium-sized leaves.
Disruptive selection: Individual plants of a tree species have flowers that range from light pink to dark red. After several generations, most trees have flowers that are either light pink or dark red.