2026 · Q86
Which one of the following statements about natural selection is not correct?
general-sciencebiotech-environment-science
- ANatural selection can only occur if there is no variation amongst members of the same species.
- BOver time, natural selection can increase the frequency of adaptations that are favourable in a given environment.
- CSpecies tend to overproduce beyond what the environment can support.
- DMutation, meiosis and sexual reproduction cause variation between individuals of a species.
Explanation
Natural selection requires heritable variation within a species — without variation there is nothing for selection to act on. Option A claims selection can occur only if there is no variation, which is the opposite of the truth, making it the statement that is not correct. Options B, C and D correctly describe adaptation, overproduction and the sources of variation. Hence option A is correct.