If a population is already well-adapted to its environment, will most mutations be helpful or harmful? Explain.
If a population is already well-adapted to its environment, most mutations are likely to be harmful rather than helpful. This is because the current genetic makeup of the population is already well-suited to surviving and reproducing in its environment. Any mutations that arise are more likely to disrupt this fine-tuned balance of traits that have evolved through natural selection.
In a well-adapted population, beneficial mutations are less common because any change to the genetic makeup that has been fine-tuned by natural selection is more likely to be detrimental. Harmful mutations may result in reduced fitness, decreased ability to survive and reproduce, or other negative consequences that can potentially lead to the elimination of individuals carrying these mutations from the gene pool.
Overall, in a well-adapted population, most mutations are more likely to be harmful rather than beneficial due to the established genetic adaptations that have evolved to maximize survival and reproductive success in the specific environment.