Mortality in babies is an example of Stabilizing selection.

Stabilizing Selection:
Stabilizing selection, also known as normalizing selection or purifying selection, is a type of natural selection that favors the average individuals in a population while selecting against extreme phenotypes. This type of selection reduces genetic diversity and maintains the status quo, resulting in a stable population over time.

Explanation:
In the case of mortality in babies, stabilizing selection is at play. Stabilizing selection occurs when the average individuals in a population have a higher fitness compared to individuals with extreme phenotypes. In this context, babies with average characteristics have a higher chance of survival compared to those with extreme characteristics.

Factors that contribute to baby mortality can include genetic abnormalities, birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, maternal health issues, and environmental factors. Babies with extreme phenotypes, such as severe genetic abnormalities or extremely low birth weight, may have a lower chance of survival due to the increased risks associated with these conditions.

By favoring babies with average characteristics, stabilizing selection helps to maintain a stable population over time. This is because extreme phenotypes are more likely to be less fit and less likely to survive to reproductive age, reducing their contribution to future generations.

Stabilizing selection in the context of baby mortality helps to ensure that the average characteristics of the population are maintained and that genetic diversity is not significantly reduced. It acts as a natural mechanism to maintain the health and stability of the population by selecting against extreme phenotypes that may have a higher risk of mortality.

In conclusion, mortality in babies is an example of stabilizing selection because it favors average individuals in a population while selecting against extreme phenotypes, helping to maintain a stable population over time.