D4.1.7—Sexual selection
Sexual selection favours traits that increase mating success, even when those traits may reduce survival in evolving populations in evolving populations.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D4.1.7
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1A
Typical marks1
Common command terms
- Explain
- Suggest
- Evaluate
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ129[ 1 ]D4.1.7—Sexual selection
Practice this objective
Coverage 2025–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Sexual selection acts through mating success.
- A trait can spread if it increases reproduction despite survival costs.
- Mate choice and competition for mates are common sexual selection mechanisms.