Question

"Preserving genetic variation helps to retain a population's current reproductive fitness and maintain its evolutionary potential, its capacity to adapt to environmental change over the long term.

- true
- false

Answer 1

Preserving genetic variation helps maintain a population's reproductive fitness and evolutionary potential. It allows for adaptation to environmental changes and reduces the risk of harmful mutations. Without genetic variation, the concept of 'survival of the fittest' would not exist.

Step-by-step explanation:

Preserving genetic variation is essential for a population's reproductive fitness and long-term evolutionary potential. Genetic variation allows for adaptation to environmental changes and increases the chances of survival for individuals in a changing environment. It also helps prevent inbreeding and reduces the risk of harmful recessive mutations. Without genetic variation, the concept of 'survival of the fittest' would not be possible.