Variations in Populations

AP Biology· difficulty 1/5

The phenotype distribution narrows around the same mean across many generations.

Phenotype value Frequency before (dashed) after (solid)

The graph shows reduction of variance with the mean unchanged. Which selection mode is operating?

  • A

    Sexual selection

  • B

    Directional selection

  • C

    Stabilizing selection

    check_circle
  • D

    Disruptive selection

Explanation

When extremes are selected against and the mean is preserved, variance decreases, producing a narrower curve centered on the same mean - the hallmark of stabilizing selection.

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