Question

Babies with very low or very high birth weight are less likely to survive. Observe a graph of the data.

A graph entitled Percentage of Babies born at Different Weights has weight in pounds on the horizontal axis, and percentage on the vertical axis. A small percentage of babies are born at the low and higher birth weights, and a greater amount are around 7 to 8 pounds.

Which statement is a valid claim that could be made using the data in the graph?
Directional selection is occurring because the graph favors an extreme.
Stabilizing selection is occurring because the average is favored.
Disruptive selection is occurring because the two extremes are favored.
Biodiversity selection is occurring because of the greater variation.

Answer 1

Answer:

According to the graph information you have provided, it can bee seen that stabilizing selection is occurring because the average is favored.

Explanation:

In case of stabilizing selection, intermediate variants of a trait are favored. As in this case, babies with extremely low and high weight were very small in number. On the other hand, babies with average weight of 7-8 pounds were greatest in number. Therefore, the extreme case phenotypes are removed and the normal or average phenotypes are supported.

Babies who are born with low birth weight will be weak and will loose heat immediately and might die. On the other hand, babies who will be overweight will be difficult to give birth since their large size will make it difficult to pass through the birth canal.

Answer 2

The number of babies with high or low weight is low because of stabilizing selection occurring on the basis of given information.

Stabilizing selection:

In this type of selection intermediate variants of a trait are favored.

For Example -  in this case, babies with extremely low and high weight were very small in number. Babies with average weight of 7-8 pounds were greatest in number.

The extreme phenotype are removed and the average phenotype are supported.

Babies who are born with low birth weight are too weak to survive while babies with overweight face difficulty to survive during birth due to large size.  

Therefore, the number of babies with high or low weight is low because of stabilizing selection occurring.

To know more about stabilizing selection,

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