Question

What is assortative mating?

a. when individuals mate with those who are similar to themselves

b. when individuals mate with those who are dissimilar to themselves

c. when individuals mate with those who are the most fit in the population

d. when individuals mate with those who are least fit in the population

Short answer

Correct option is (a) when individuals mate with those who are similar to themselves shows positive assortative mating.

Step-by-step solution

Assortative mating : 

It's a form of mating behavior. Individuals with similar traits mate with one another more frequently in assortative mating, forming sexual selection.

Explanation : 

(a) When people mate with people that are genetically similar to them. On the basis of mating individuals, there are two types of basally assortative mating: first negative assortative mating, or heterogamy, and second positive assortative mating, or homogamy.

In negative assortative mating, individuals mate with others who have genotypes and phenotypes that are distinct to their own. In positive assortative mating, people avoid mating with people who are similar to them.

Positive assortative mating occurs when two individuals with comparable traits mate more frequently. A tall individual, for example, will mate with another tall person; this form of selection is frequent in the population.

 Other options : 

(b) When people mate with people who are dissimilar to them- In negative assortative mating, people mate with people who have genotypes and phenotypes that are dissimilar to their own. In positive assortative mating, they avoid mating with people who are similar to them.

(c) Individuals who mate with those who are fit in the population demonstrate natural adaptation when they mate with those who are fit in the population. Individuals mat and match them with their natural behavior through natural adaptation.

(d) Survival of fitness is demonstrated when people mate with those who are the least fit in the population.