Question

Millions of years ago, the ancestors of giraffes had short necks and used to eat leaves from the bushes on the ground. A genetic mutation caused one giraffe's neck to be taller. This long-necked giraffe was able to eat leaves that were higher up on trees. This gave it an advantage as it was able to access more food than other giraffes. Over millions of years, all of the giraffes became long-necked. Which type of environmental factor caused this mutation to be inherited? (1 point)
Responses

food availability
food availability

radiation exposure
radiation exposure

exercise requirement
exercise requirement

polluted environment
polluted environment

Answer 1

food availability

Explanation: availability of leaves higher on trees created a selective advantage for the long‑neck mutation; those giraffes survived and reproduced more, so the trait was inherited.