Genetic mutations can have harmful or beneficial effects, or no effects at all, on organisms. Look at the image below of an organism with a mutation related to its fur and eyes, and then answer the following question. How could this mutation be helpful to the organism? How could it be harmful?

Question

Genetic mutations can have harmful or beneficial effects, or no effects at all, on organisms. Look at the image below of an organism with a mutation related to its fur and eyes, and then answer the following question. How could this mutation be helpful to the organism? How could it be harmful?

Grading Considerations

• Your answer must include an example of a circumstance/setting in which the mutation could be beneficial and an example of how it could be harmful.

• Your answer must directly reference/mention the organism in the image. •

Your answer should be 2-3 sentences in length. In an effort to combat plagiarism. answers longer than 5 sentences will not be considered, Answering concisely is evidence that you understand the material, and this question can be answered fully in just 2-3 sentences.

(2 points)

Answer 1

The mutation in the organism's fur and eyes could be helpful if it provides camouflage in a specific environment, such as helping it blend in with its surroundings and avoid predation. However, the mutation could be harmful if it reduces the organism's ability to see clearly or affects its overall fitness, making it less likely to survive and reproduce in other environments.