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Ch. 12 - An Evolving Enemy
Belk, Maier - Biology: Science for Life 6th Edition
Belk, Maier6th EditionBiology: Science for LifeISBN: 9780135214084Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBelk, Maier 6th EditionCh. 12 - An Evolving EnemyProblem 7
Chapter 12, Problem 7

The heritable differences among organisms are a result of:
a. Differences in their DNA
b. Mutation
c. Differences in alleles
d. A and B are correct
e. A, B, and C are correct

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the question. The problem is asking about the sources of heritable differences among organisms. These differences are traits that can be passed from one generation to the next.
Step 2: Recall the role of DNA. DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information. Differences in DNA sequences among individuals can lead to heritable differences.
Step 3: Consider the role of mutations. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence. They can introduce new genetic variations, which can be inherited if they occur in reproductive cells.
Step 4: Understand alleles. Alleles are different versions of a gene. Variations in alleles contribute to heritable differences among organisms.
Step 5: Evaluate the options. Option A refers to differences in DNA, option B refers to mutations, and option C refers to differences in alleles. Since all three contribute to heritable differences, the correct answer is option E: A, B, and C are correct.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

DNA and Heritability

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the hereditary material in organisms, containing the genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. Variations in DNA sequences among individuals contribute to heritable differences, influencing traits passed from parents to offspring.
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Mutation

Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can occur due to errors during DNA replication or as a result of environmental factors. These alterations can lead to new traits and contribute to genetic diversity within a population, making them a key source of heritable differences.
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Alleles

Alleles are different versions of a gene that arise from mutations and can result in variations in traits among individuals. The combination of alleles inherited from both parents determines an organism's genotype and can influence its phenotype, contributing to the heritable differences observed in populations.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Which of the following observations is not part of the theory of natural selection?

a. Populations of organisms have more offspring than will survive

b. There is variation among individuals in a population

c. Modern organisms are unrelated

d. Traits can be passed on from parent to offspring

e. Some variants in a population have a higher probability of survival and reproduction than other variants do

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Textbook Question

The best definition of evolutionary fitness is:

a. Physical health

b. The ability to attract members of the opposite sex

c. The ability to adapt to the environment

d. Survival and reproduction relative to other members of the population

e. Overall strength

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Textbook Question

An adaptation is a trait of an organism that increases:

a. Its fitness

b. Its ability to survive and replicate

c. In frequency in a population over many generations

d. A and B are correct

e. A, B, and C are correct

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Textbook Question

Since the modern synthesis, the technical definition of evolution is a change in allele frequency in a population over the course of generations.

a. Traits, species

b. Allele frequency, population

c. Natural selection, natural environment

d. Adaptations, single organism

e. Fitness, population

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Textbook Question

Ivory from elephant tusks is a valuable commodity on the world market. As a result, male African elephants with large tusks have been heavily hunted for the past few centuries. Today, male elephants have significantly shorter tusks at full adulthood than male elephants in the early 1900s. This is an example of:

a. Diversifying selection

b. Stabilizing selection

c. Directional selection

d. Chance

e. More than one of the above is correct

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Textbook Question

Antibiotic resistance is becoming common among organisms that cause a variety of human diseases. All of the following strategies help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance evolving in a susceptible bacterial population except:

a. Using antibiotics only when appropriate, for bacterial infections that are not clearing up naturally

b. Using the drugs as directed, taking all the antibiotic over the course of days prescribed

c. Using more than one antibiotic at a time for difficult-to-treat organisms

d. Preventing natural selection by reducing the amount of evolution the organisms can perform

e. Reducing the use of antibiotics in non–health-care settings, such as agriculture

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