Question

Which of the following statements concerning genetic variation is most accurate?

• A. The process of natural selection directly creates genetic variation.
• B. Changes in the environment of a population stimulate mutation and genetic change in that population.
• C. Genetic variation must be present in a population before natural selection can act upon organisms in that population.
• D. The higher the average heterozygosity in a population, the less genetic variation in the gene pool.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The process of natural selection directly creates genetic variation.

Genetic variation results in the evolution. It results due to mutation in the genetic material resulting in a permanent change. The process of natural selection directly creates genetic variation. Natural selection will change the allele frequencies in the population. This in turn will create genetic variation due to loss of certain alleles during natural selection. Mutation and genetic changes occur spontaneously and change in the environment does stimulate it. The higher the heterozygosity in a population, the higher genetic variation is seen in the population.

Thus, the correct answer is 'The process of natural selection directly creates genetic variation.'