Question

in terms of natural selection, what is the best description of an organism that is fit?

the organism is physically stronger than competing organisms.

the organism is physically stronger than organisms of a different species.

the organism is better able to survive and pass on traits to offspring than competing organisms.

the organism is a member of a population in which every member survives without competing.

Explanation:

In natural selection, "fitness" isn't about physical strength but about an organism's ability to survive and reproduce (pass on traits) relative to competitors. The first option is wrong as fitness isn't just physical strength. The second is wrong because fitness is within a species' competition, not across species. The fourth is wrong because populations always have competition for resources. The third option matches the definition of fitness in natural selection.

Answer:

C. The organism is better able to survive and pass on traits to offspring than competing organisms.