If medium sized normal individual are fovorued by natural selection is referred as

Options

A. Stabilizing selection
B. Directional selection
C. Disruptive selection
D. Both (1) and (2)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Natural Selection**: Natural selection is a process where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This concept was introduced by Charles Darwin and is often summarized by the phrase "survival of the fittest."

2. **Types of Natural Selection**: There are three main types of natural selection:
- **Stabilizing Selection**: This type favors the average or medium traits and selects against extreme variations.
- **Directional Selection**: This type favors one extreme trait over others, leading to a shift in the population's traits in one direction.
- **Disruptive Selection**: This type favors both extreme traits and selects against the average or medium traits, potentially leading to two distinct groups within a population.

3. **Analyzing the Question**: The question states that medium-sized normal individuals are favored by natural selection. This indicates that the average trait (medium size) is being selected for, while extremes (either very small or very large) are not favored.

4. **Identifying the Correct Type**: Since the question specifies that medium-sized individuals are favored, this aligns with the definition of stabilizing selection, where the average trait is favored, and extremes are selected against.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, if medium-sized normal individuals are favored by natural selection, it is referred to as **stabilizing selection**.

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