Question

What statement accurately describes the relationship between variations and fitness?
A. Fitness always increases variations.
B. Variations can lead to either an increase or decrease in fitness.
C. Fitness can lead to either an increase or decrease in variations.
D. Variations always increase fitness.

Answer 1

B. Variations can lead to either an increase or decrease in fitness.

Explanation: Genetic or phenotypic variation produces new traits that may be beneficial, neutral, or harmful in a given environment. Beneficial variations increase fitness, harmful ones decrease it, and neutral ones have little or no effect.