Question

Assertion (A) : Under a particular set of selection pressure, organisms evolve towards the most efficient reproductive strategy.

Reason (R) : Populations evolve to maximise their reproductive fitness in the habitat where they live.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not correct explanation for Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, Reason (R) is true.

Hint:

Both statements are NCERT facts, and maximising fitness is why an efficient reproductive strategy evolves.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Check the Assertion:
Natural selection favours individuals that leave more offspring. Under a given set of selection pressures, organisms therefore evolve the most efficient reproductive strategy. So the Assertion is TRUE.

Step 2: Check the Reason:
Populations evolve to maximise their reproductive fitness (Darwinian fitness) in the habitat where they live. This is a standard NCERT statement. So the Reason is TRUE.

Step 3: Link the two:
A strategy is called efficient when it gives the highest reproductive fitness in that habitat.
So the Reason explains why organisms move towards the efficient strategy. Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Final Answer:
Both are true and R explains A. The answer is option (A).