Asked by fernanda
Where do variation in traits within a species come from?
A. species evolve & develop traits as their surroundings change
B. there is no variation if it's the same species
C. the variations are in their DNA
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
C.
Variation among individuals of the same species is primarily due to differences in their DNA (mutations, different versions of genes, recombination during sexual reproduction, and gene flow). Those genetic differences are the heritable variation natural selection acts on.
(A is misleading: populations evolve over generations as allele frequencies change, but individuals do not “develop” new heritable traits simply because the environment changes.)
(B is false: members of the same species can and do vary.
Also note: the environment can affect how genes are expressed (phenotypic plasticity), so not all trait differences reflect DNA changes, but heritable variation comes from DNA.
Variation among individuals of the same species is primarily due to differences in their DNA (mutations, different versions of genes, recombination during sexual reproduction, and gene flow). Those genetic differences are the heritable variation natural selection acts on.
(A is misleading: populations evolve over generations as allele frequencies change, but individuals do not “develop” new heritable traits simply because the environment changes.)
(B is false: members of the same species can and do vary.
Also note: the environment can affect how genes are expressed (phenotypic plasticity), so not all trait differences reflect DNA changes, but heritable variation comes from DNA.
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