Question

Over a period of years, the average rainfall in an area has decreased, causing environmental changes. Most likely to survive these environmental changes is a population
A) with very little genetic variation.

B) with the smallest population size.

C) that has been altered through artificial selection.

D) with a great amount of genetic variation.

Answer 1

Answer: D) with a great amount of genetic variation.

Genetic variations are the changes or alteration that occurs in the genome of an individual that may occur due to mutations and recombination. In mutations an error occurs in the DNA replication process and it is not corrected by the DNA repair enzyme. It is the permanent change in the genome of the organism. Recombination is another source of genetic variation in which mixing of the genetic material of parents occurs when homologous DNA strands cross over and align. This process shuffles the genetic materials and allows the inheritance of new combinations of genomic variants in the progeny.

In the given situation, the population with a great amount of genetic variation is most likely to survive these environmental changes because sudden and permanent genetic variations  are responsible for making organisms suitable for the survival in the adverse environmental conditions.

Answer 2

ans D) with a great amount of genetic variation