Question

Select a statement that is not true with respect to variation.

• A. All variations in a species have equal chance of survival.
• B. Change in the genetic composition results in variation.
• C. Selection of variants by environmental factors form the basis of evolutionary process.
• D. Variation is minimum in asexual reproduction.

Answer 1

The correct option is A All variations in a species have equal chance of survival.

Variation is introduced in an organism by two ways:

1. By changes in the DNA
2. By sexual reproduction

In asexually reproducing organisms, variations are minimum because changes in the DNA is the only contributing factor. Once the variations arise, the environmental factors act on these variations in such a way that only species with beneficial variations survive, leading to speciation. Thus, for the formation of new species and hence evolution, variations form the basis on which natural selection acts.