Question

charles darwin proposed a mechanism for descent with modification that stated that organisms of a particular species are adapted to their environment when they possess ...

○ non-heritable traits that enhance their survivial in the local environment.

○ non-heritable traits that enhance their reproductive success in the local environment.

○ non-heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.

○ heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.

○ heritable traits that decrease their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.

Explanation:

Darwin's theory of natural selection states that organisms with heritable traits that enhance survival and reproductive success in their environment are more likely to pass on those traits. Non - heritable traits can't be passed to offspring, so options with non - heritable traits are incorrect. Traits that decrease survival/reproductive success wouldn't be adaptive. So the correct option is the one with heritable traits enhancing survival and reproductive success.

Answer:

D. heritable traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in the local environment.