An enlarged right ventricle both increases oxygen intake and the risk of pulmonary hypertension. How can natural selection result in an adaption that produces both positive and negative effects?
The positive effects outweigh the negative effects in certain environments.
The negative effects appear later in life in certain environments.
The positive effects appear after reproductive age in certain environments.
The negative effects appear before reproductive age in certain environments.
In this case, natural selection could favor individuals with an enlarged right ventricle if they are living in an environment where increased oxygen intake provides a significant advantage, such as at high altitudes or in heavily populated areas with poor air quality. This adaptation would allow individuals to better cope with the environmental conditions and have a higher chance of survival and reproductive success.
However, the risk of pulmonary hypertension associated with an enlarged right ventricle could become a disadvantage later in life, potentially reducing the individual's overall fitness. If the negative effects of pulmonary hypertension appear after reproductive age, natural selection may still favor individuals with the enlarged right ventricle because they have already passed on their genes to the next generation.
Ultimately, the balance between the positive and negative effects of an enlarged right ventricle would depend on the specific environmental circumstances and life history of the individuals in question. Natural selection may result in this adaptation persisting if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in a particular environment.
choose the correct choice
The correct choice is:
- The positive effects outweigh the negative effects in certain environments.