At the Seneca Army Depot in Upstate New York, a Mutant

question 5

Multiple Choice

At the Seneca Army Depot in upstate New York, a mutant variety (white coat color) of white-tailed deer composes a much higher percentage of the population than one might consider normal for such a mutation. What is the reason for this?

• A) The mutant phenotype produces more offspring than the nonmutant.
• B) The mutant phenotype is better adapted at avoiding predators in the winter.
• C) Predator pressures were manipulated by humans at the Depot.
• D) Genetic drift led to greater numbers of the mutant phenotype.

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Definitions:

Fertilized Egg

A cell formed by the union of a male gamete (sperm) and a female gamete (egg), marking the beginning of embryonic development.

Embryos

Early stages of development in multicellular organisms after fertilization and before becoming fetuses.

Heritability

A statistic used in genetics to estimate the degree to which variation in a trait within a population is due to genetic differences among individuals.

Personal History

An individual's past experiences and events that have shaped their personality, beliefs, and behavior.