Which of the following features are true for stabilising type of natural selection ?

Options

A. Selection of average individual
B. It reduces variation
C. It is bell-shaped
D. All of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Natural Selection**: Natural selection is a process described by Charles Darwin, where individuals that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than those that are less well adapted. This concept is often summarized as "survival of the fittest".

2. **Types of Natural Selection**: There are three main types of natural selection: stabilizing, directional, and disruptive selection. Each type has different effects on the population's traits.

3. **Focus on Stabilizing Selection**: The question specifically asks about stabilizing selection. In stabilizing selection, the environment favors the average phenotype (the middle range of traits) over the extremes.

4. **Characteristics of Stabilizing Selection**:
- **Selection of Average Individuals**: In stabilizing selection, individuals with traits near the average are favored. This means that the average phenotype has a higher chance of survival and reproduction.
- **Reduction of Variation**: Because the extremes are less favored, their numbers decrease over time, leading to reduced variation in the population. The population becomes more uniform, with fewer individuals exhibiting extreme traits.
- **Bell-Shaped Distribution**: The resulting distribution of traits in the population often resembles a bell curve, where most individuals have traits close to the average.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the characteristics of stabilizing selection, the correct answer to the question is that all of the following features are true for stabilizing selection: selection of average individuals, reduction of variation, and the formation of a bell-shaped distribution.

**Final Answer**: All of the above features are true for stabilizing type of natural selection.

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