An isolated population of prairie dogs has longer than average teeth. As a result they can eat more grass with less effort and a
re better able to survive. The mutation(s) that resulted in longer teeth: a) allowed the teeth to grow longer over several generations until they reached an optimal length for eating grass. b) arose in many members of the population at the same time. c) happened by chance. d) occurred because the prairie dogs needed to be more efficient at eating grass to survive and reproduce. e) would only occur in a prairie dog population that eats grass and would not occur in a population that lives on seeds.
<em>The correct option is C) happened by chance</em>
Explanation:
Mutations can be described as any changes which occur in the DNA of an organism. Mutations can be natural or induced through methods like the use of chemicals.
Mutations occur randomly and happen by chance. Hence, option C is correct.
Other options like option A are false because mutation is the sudden change in the genome of an organism. Hence, mutations will not cause the teeth to grow longer until they reach an optimal length.
