52.9k views
23 votes
Which term is used to describe the variety

of inheritable traits in a species?

Ecosystem diversity

Genetic diversity

Natural selection

Species diversity

User MartGriff
by
5.3k points

2 Answers

12 votes

So, Ecosystem Diversity is a term that describes how different habitats of organisms are. For example, the fact that our planet has deserts, tundras but also estuaries is a sign of the diversity of its ecosystems. Species diversity refers to the number of different species that inhabit a specific ecosystem or the whole biosphere; the more, the better for species diversity. Genetic diversity is the term we are looking for; it means the variation in genes (usually in one species) that leads to different inheritable traits (in members of the same species). For example eye color is an inheritable trait that showcases genetic diversity since there are many genes that determine a different color such as brown, blue, green etc. (even though the environment plays a role too). Finally, natural selection is a theory about the survival of the fittest due to competition. It relates to inheritable traits and their diversity but it does not describe them.

User Wolfr
by
5.5k points
13 votes
Genetic diversity.

Genetic diversity refers to genetic variability within species. Each individual species possesses genes which are the source of its own unique features: In human beings, for example, the huge variety of people's faces reflects each person's genetic individuality.
User Muhwu
by
5.4k points