What statement accurately describes the relationship between variations and fitness?
a
Variations always increase fitness.
b
Variations can lead to either an increase or decrease in fitness.
c
Fitness always increases variations
d
Fitness can lead to either an increase or decrease in variations.
b - Variations can lead to either an increase or decrease in fitness.
What is the name given to an observable characteristic of an organism?
a
phenotype
b
mutation
c
genome
d
genotype
a - phenotype.
Question 9 (1 point)
Facts or data are types of
a
evidence.
b
reasoning.
c
models
d
explanations.
a - evidence.
The correct statement that accurately describes the relationship between variations and fitness is option (b) "Variations can lead to either an increase or decrease in fitness."
To understand this relationship, it is important to define both variations and fitness. Variations refer to the differences or changes in traits or characteristics within a population. These variations can occur through genetic mutations, recombination, or other factors.
On the other hand, fitness is a measure of an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment. Fitness is influenced by a variety of factors, including variations in traits.
In nature, variations can lead to both advantages and disadvantages for individuals in terms of survival and reproduction. Sometimes, variations can result in traits that provide a competitive advantage, enhancing an organism's fitness. This can lead to an increase in the individual's ability to survive and reproduce, and eventually an overall increase in the fitness of the population.
However, variations can also result in traits that decrease an organism's ability to survive and reproduce, reducing its fitness. In such cases, individuals with these unfavorable variations may have a lower chance of passing on their genes to the next generation, potentially leading to a decrease in the overall fitness of the population.
Therefore, the relationship between variations and fitness is not always positive. It can be either positive (increase in fitness) or negative (decrease in fitness), depending on how the variations affect an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its specific environment.