Question

Which of the following events contributes to phenotypic variation in a population?

• A. Changes in chromosome structure and number
• B. Independent assortment
• C. Crossing over
• D. All of the above
  

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

• Phenotypes are traits or characteristics of an organism that we can observe, such as size, colour, shape, capabilities, behaviours, etc. Phenotypic variation, then, is the variability in phenotypes that exists in a population.
• Phenotypes can be caused by genes, environmental factors, or both. Hence phenotypic variations can be a result of genetic variations or influenced by environmental factors or both.
  
• Changes in chromosome structure and number, independent assortment and crossing over usually results in generic variation and eventually phenotypic variation. Thus all three contributes to phenotypic variation in a population.
• So the correct option is D.