How Do Traits Become Common in a Population?
Which factor will have the MOST influence on whether a trait will become common in a population?
A) the history of the pattern in previous snake populations
B) the ability of the snake to survive to reproduce
C) the appearance of other new traits in the baby snake
D) the presence of thermal energy changing the snake pattern
Answer:
B) the ability of the snake to survive to reproduce
When considering how a trait becomes common in a population, the factor that has the most influence is the ability of the organism to survive and reproduce. Natural selection plays a key role in determining which traits become prevalent in a population over time.
A trait is favored by natural selection and becomes common in a population if it imparts survival fitness to the individuals. If the trait, such as a white-spotted pattern in a brown snake, provides some survival benefits, individuals carrying that trait will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
Organisms with the advantageous trait can produce more offspring with the same trait, ultimately leading to an increased prevalence of the trait in the population. This process is essential for the evolution of populations over generations.