Sometimes a mutation is beneficial to an organism's fitness and can be passed on to offspring. What is likely to happen to the mutation over many generations?

Any genetic variation will not persist because the mutation is a one-time event.

There is a random chance of the mutation spreading to other individuals in the population.

The mutation will become more common in offspring and increase the genetic variability in the gene pool.

Genetic recombination is the only way that variations can be passed on, so the mutation will die out.

You must check the box below prior to submitting your exam!

Question

Ray Mora

Biology

27 February, 13:57

Sometimes a mutation is beneficial to an organism's fitness and can be passed on to offspring. What is likely to happen to the mutation over many generations?

Any genetic variation will not persist because the mutation is a one-time event.

There is a random chance of the mutation spreading to other individuals in the population.

The mutation will become more common in offspring and increase the genetic variability in the gene pool.

Genetic recombination is the only way that variations can be passed on, so the mutation will die out.

You must check the box below prior to submitting your exam!

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Lauren Forbes · Answer 1

The mutation will become more common in offspring and increase the genetic variability in the gene pool.

Explanation:

If the mutation is beneficial to the organism and this organism breeds its offspring may carry this gene, if it's really beneficial and for example makes an organism to have more access to females the mutation may spread faster.

The only way for a mutation to spread to other organisms is reproduction (eukaryotes)

A mutation may also spread to other organisms in prokaryotes in which bacteria may take plasmids (DNA fragments) from the environment.