3-10. DISCUSS A ROLE THAT MUTATIONS PLAY IN THE PROCESS OF NATURAL S...

1.3-10. Discuss a role that mutations play in the process of natural selection.

Difficulty:

3

Question ID:

1.3-10

Page Ref:

16

Topic:

Functionalism and the Inheritance of Traits

Skill:

Conceptual

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.