Question

Which is the best example of a mutation that benefits an organism?

a mutation turns a plant's flowers from red to blue
a mutation causes a plant to produce less oxygen
a mutation stops a plant from producing seeds
a mutation increases a plant's ability to absorb sunlight

Answer 1

A mutation that increases a plant's ability to absorb sunlight is an example of a beneficial mutation that improves the plant's survival chances by enhancing photosynthetic efficiency. Beneficial mutations like this are key to evolution and an organism's adaptation to its environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The example of a mutation that benefits an organism is a mutation that increases a plant's ability to absorb sunlight. This type of beneficial mutation can clearly improve the fitness and survival chances of a plant by enhancing its photosynthetic efficiency. This is crucial, as photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water, and more efficient photosynthesis can support faster growth and greater reproductive success. On the other hand, a mutation that causes a plant to produce less oxygen would not be beneficial, as oxygen is a by-product of photosynthesis and its production is indicative of a plant's photosynthetic activity.

Beneficial mutations are essential for evolution, as they can lead to new versions of proteins that help organisms adapt to changes in their environment. If such mutations increase an organism's chances of surviving or reproducing, they are likely to become more common over time.