Question

Consider the model for natural selection. In a population of living things, genetic variation exists. One source of variation is mutation. Which scenario listed here could be a mutation that causes members of a population to die out? A) In a population of fast-running cheetahs, some are born that run slower than most. B) In a population of sunflowers, mutations cause some flower heads to produce more seeds. C) In a population of brownish rabbits that live in the tundra, some are born with fur that turns white in the winter. D) In a populations of birds, mutations result in different beak sizes so the birds do not compete for food in t

Answer 1

Judging from what you have here the answer is letter A

Answer 2

The correct answer is option A) In a population of fast-running cheetahs, some are born that run slower than most.

One of the characteristics of cheetahs is that they run extremely fast. This helps them to catch their prey with great ease. If cheetahs will loose their ability to run fast they will not be able to catch their preys and eventually due to the lack of food/ essential nutrients they will tend to die out. In short, running slower will reduce their fitness leading to death.

Option B & C are absolutely wrong because in that case the mutation is increasing the fitness of the respective organisms rather than reducing it.