Branching descent and natural selection are the two key concepts of

Options

A. Darwin's theory of evolution
B. Lamarck's theory of evolution
C. Hugo deVries theory of mutation
D. Wallace theory of evolution

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Identify the Key Concepts**: The question asks about the two key concepts associated with Darwin's theory of evolution. These concepts are "branching descent" and "natural selection".

2. **Explain Natural Selection**:
- Natural selection is a process where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce.
- This means that those organisms that possess favorable traits for a specific environment will thrive, while those with less favorable traits may not survive, leading to their elimination.

3. **Explain Branching Descent**:
- Branching descent refers to the idea that new species arise from a common ancestor.
- This concept suggests that all living organisms share a common lineage and that new species evolve over time from this single common ancestor through a process of divergence.

4. **Conclusion**: Both natural selection and branching descent are fundamental to understanding Darwin's theory of evolution. They explain how species adapt to their environments and how new species originate from common ancestors.

5. **Final Answer**: Therefore, the answer to the question is that branching descent and natural selection are the two key concepts of Darwin's theory of evolution.