How Is It Possible for a Mutation to Be Beneficial

question 36

Multiple Choice

How is it possible for a mutation to be beneficial and what happens to it if it is?

• A) A beneficial mutation will result in a trait that is helpful to the organism and if the environment changes to suit it, the trait will expand in the population.
• B) A mutation is, by definition, not beneficial.
• C) A mutation can result in a trait that is beneficial to an individual or its offspring and it will stay within that family.
• D) It is not possible for a mutation to be beneficial and so the mutated gene will be selected against and disappear from the population.
• E) A mutation that results in a trait that improves an organisms fitness is beneficial and because it has improved fitness that mutated gene will spread in the population.

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Definitions:

Precambrian Granite

A type of ancient granite rock that formed during the Precambrian era, over 541 million years ago.

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A land surface shaped and leveled by the long-term action of erosion, removing geological features.

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The time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay by radioactive processes.

Parent Atoms

Atoms that undergo radioactive decay, transforming into different atoms or isotopes over time.