Question

What relationship exist between changes in the environment and variations would it be changes in the environment can act only on existing variations in a population changes in the environment can only cause new variations to appear changes in the environment cannot change which traits are advantages or changes in the environment cannot influence the fitness of an organism

Answer 1

The relationship between changes in the environment and variations can be described as follows:

Changes in the environment can act only on existing variations in a population: This means that the environment can select for or against existing variations in a population. For example, if a population of birds has variation in beak size, and the environment changes to have a new food source that requires a specific beak size, the birds with beaks that are better suited to the new food source will be selected for.

Changes in the environment can only cause new variations to appear: This statement is not entirely accurate. While changes in the environment can cause mutations or genetic variations to arise, it is not the only factor that leads to new variations. Genetic mutations can happen randomly and independently of the environment, leading to new variations in a population.

Changes in the environment cannot change which traits are advantageous: This statement is incorrect. Changes in the environment can indeed alter which traits are advantageous for a population. For example, if a population of lizards lives in a forest and the forest becomes more open with fewer trees, lizards with longer legs for increased running speed may be more advantageous in the new environment.

Changes in the environment cannot influence the fitness of an organism: This statement is also inaccurate. Changes in the environment can strongly influence an organism's fitness, which is its ability to survive and reproduce. If the environment becomes more favorable to certain traits or behaviors, individuals with those traits will likely have higher fitness and be more successful in passing their genes to the next generation.