Over time, if a trait consistently makes an animal/plant LESS fit to survive it's environment, what will happen?(3 points)

Question

Responses

Those individuals that have that trait will not survive and not reproduce. Gradually that trait will become less frequent in the population until it eventually gets removed.
Those individuals that have that trait will not survive and not reproduce. Gradually that trait will become less frequent in the population until it eventually gets removed.

The trait will slowly mutate into a trait that is advantageous for the organism.
The trait will slowly mutate into a trait that is advantageous for the organism.

Some individuals with the trait will survive and others will not. The trait will remain as long as some individuals survive with it.

Answer 1

The first two responses are most likely to occur. If a trait consistently makes an animal/plant less fit to survive its environment, individuals with that trait will have a lower chance of survival and reproduction. This will lead to a decrease in the frequency of that trait in the population over time. Alternatively, the trait may slowly mutate into a more advantageous trait through the process of natural selection. The third response is less likely, as individuals with a trait that consistently decreases their fitness are less likely to survive and pass on that trait to future generations.

Answer 2

Pick 1 answer

Answer 3

The most likely outcome is that individuals with the trait that consistently makes them less fit to survive will not survive and reproduce, leading to a decrease in the frequency of that trait in the population over time.