University of Central Florida (UCF) ANT2511 The Human Species Practice Exam 1

In the context of evolution, beneficial traits are typically inherited from ancestors because these traits have survived through natural selection due to their advantages in a given environment. When organisms possess traits that improve their chances of survival and reproduction, these traits are more likely to be passed on to their offspring. Over generations, this process leads to an accumulation of beneficial traits within a population, allowing it to adapt to changing environments.

The inheritance of these advantageous traits ensures that they continue to be present in future generations, while less beneficial or detrimental traits may diminish or disappear over time as those individuals are less likely to survive and reproduce. This concept is foundational to the theory of evolution, emphasizing the role of natural selection in shaping the characteristics of species.