Evolution by natural selection may produce organisms that are adapted to their environment. Given below are four statements regarding adaptation by natural selection.

A. Adaptation implies that organisms are perfectly matched to their current environment.
B. Adaptive traits have been shaped by natural selection to past environments.
C. Natural selection is the only process by which adaptive traits evolve.
D. Adaptation to current environments may be constrained by adaptation to past environments.

Which one of the following options gives the correct combination of True/False statements?

Correct option is C

EXPLANATION-

A. Adaptation implies that organisms are perfectly matched to their current environment.
This is False.
Adaptation does not mean organisms are perfectly matched; it means organisms are better suited compared to others, but perfection is not guaranteed due to limitations like genetic constraints and environmental changes.

B. Adaptive traits have been shaped by natural selection to past environments.
This is True.
Natural selection acts over time on past environments, shaping traits that helped organisms survive and reproduce in those conditions.

C. Natural selection is the only process by which adaptive traits evolve.
This is False.
While natural selection is a primary mechanism, adaptive traits can also evolve through processes like genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.

D. Adaptation to current environments may be constrained by adaptation to past environments.
This is True.
Evolutionary constraints and historical adaptations can limit how well organisms can adapt to new or current environments.

So, the correct option is (c) -  A: False ,  B: True , C: False , D: True