Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

According to Darwin, what mechanism drives evolution?

1. Mutation

2. Natural selection

3. Geographical isolation

4. Artificial selection

The correct answer is: Natural selection

Darwin's theory of evolution is fundamentally based on the principle of natural selection, which he described as the process by which individuals in a species that possess advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. This means that these traits become more common in the population over successive generations. Natural selection operates on variations within species that arise through random mutations and other processes, but it is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals that ensures certain traits become more prevalent. While mutation introduces new genetic variations, it is natural selection that acts on these variations, leading to adaptations that help organisms thrive in their environments. Geographical isolation can contribute to speciation by separating populations, but it is not the primary mechanism Darwin identified as driving evolution. Artificial selection, although relevant in discussions of breeding practices, is a human-directed process and not a natural phenomenon. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes how natural selection serves as the core mechanism behind evolutionary change according to Darwin's understanding.