Author Question: Discuss a role that mutations play in the process of natural selection. What will be an ideal ... (Read 112 times)

imowrer · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Discuss a role that mutations play in the process of natural selection.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Give examples of structural and behavioral characteristics that might confer selective advantages to an organism.

What will be an ideal response?

Tonny · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Mutations increase the range of features or behaviors seen in the organism. Most of the time, this is harmful to the organism or to its reproductive fitness. Very rarely, the mutation results in a feature or behavior that increases the fitness of an organism; in these cases, the mutation is likely to become part of the preferred genetic makeup of the species.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Natural selection suggests that certain characteristics of an organism offer an advantage that allows the organism to reproduce and to pass on that characteristic to its offspring. The coloring of an organism may allow it to blend into the background, thus escaping detection by predators. The capacity to remain still (i.e., freeze) may similarly allow an organism to avoid predation.