Life History Traits and Reproductive Strategies — NEET Biology
📚 Practice ConceptPopulations evolve to maximise their reproductive fitness, also called Darwinian fitness (high r value), in the habitat in which they live. Under a particular set of selection pressures, organisms evolve towards the most efficient reproductive strategy. Some organisms breed only once in their lifetime (Pacific salmon fish, bamboo) while others breed many times during their lifetime (most birds and mammals). Some produce a large number of small-sized offspring (Oysters, pelagic fishes) while others produce a small number of large-sized offspring (birds, mammals). So, which is desirable for maximising fitness? Ecologists suggest that life history traits of organisms have evolved in relation to the constraints imposed by the abiotic and biotic components of the habitat in which they live. Evolution of life history traits in different species is currently an important area of research being conducted by ecologists.
Which statements describe life history strategies? 1. Pacific salmon breeds many times in life. 2. Bamboo breeds only once in life. 3. Oysters produce many small-sized offspring. 4. Birds and mammals usually produce fewer, larger offspring. 5. Reproductive traits evolve in response to abiotic and biotic constraints.
View solution & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: B — 2, 3, 4, 5 only
Salmon and bamboo breed once; oysters produce many small offspring; birds and mammals fewer larger ones. Traits evolve under environmental constraints.
What does NCERT say about Populations evolve to maximise?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 176 of the 180 ReNEET 2026 (June 21) questions were already in the MedicNEET question bank before the exam.
176/180MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.