Humans have developed various dog breeds through selective breeding. How is selective breeding similar to natural selection? A. Both are driven by environmental pressures. B. Both are directed by human objectives. C. Both occur over multiple generations. D. Both favor advantageous traits within a species.

The correct answer is: D. Both favor advantageous traits within a species.

Selective breeding and natural selection share the similarity that they both involve the favoring of advantageous traits within a population or species:

• Natural selection is a process in nature where environmental pressures lead to the differential survival and reproduction of individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment. This process results in the gradual increase of advantageous traits within a population over successive generations.
• Selective breeding, also known as artificial selection, is a human-driven process where specific traits are deliberately chosen and bred for in organisms to achieve desired characteristics. In this case, humans act as the selective force, choosing which individuals will breed based on the presence of desired traits. Over time and across generations, selective breeding leads to the accentuation or fixation of particular traits in a population.