Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is an example of a population-level evolutionary adaptation?

1. Reproductive isolation

2. Natural selection

3. Genetic drift

4. Genetic recombination

The correct answer is: Natural selection

An example of a population-level evolutionary adaptation would be natural selection, as it involves the selection of beneficial traits in a population over time. Reproductive isolation, genetic drift, and genetic recombination may all contribute to the process of evolution in a population, but they are not considered adaptations in and of themselves. Reproductive isolation refers to the development of barriers between different species, not changes within a population. Genetic drift is the random change in gene frequency due to chance events, and genetic recombination is the reshuffling of genetic material during sexual reproduction. While these processes can impact the evolution of a population, they are not considered adaptations in the same sense as natural selection. Thus, natural selection is the most appropriate example of a population-level evolutionary adaptation.