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How does having variation in a species help the species survive?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Variation through recombination or random mutation is the fundamental driving force of evolution. Without variation, evolution would be impossible. Consider this scenario. Let's say that a new super virus has emerged and it can infect and kill virtually any human in the world in a very short period of time. Now let's say that though the virus can kill almost anyone, 0.1% of the human population carry a genetic polymorphism (either generated through recombination or mutation) that renders them completely immune to the virus. The end result will be 99.9% of the human population dies but the 0.1% that's left (6 million) will live and repopulate, so when the human population re-expands, everyone will have inherited that genetic polymorphism and become immune to the virus.
In real life situations, the threats are much more subtle. Rather than a genetic polymorphism defending against a virus, it may be a speed enhancement that allows a certain animal to outrun its predators, it may be a longer neck that allows another animal to reach previously unreachable food sources, or it may be higher intelligence that allows another animal to use tools and fire for survival. With the generation of variation slow and the threats subtle, it usually takes a long time (millions of years) for a beneficial variation to spread throughout a species, but once it has, the species will be better adapted to the environment it lives in.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoVariations within species are triggered by their needs in order to take better advantage of their environment, to attempt to overcome certain obstacles to survival, predators, etc.
Perhaps some good examples (an expert would give better ones, I suppose) would be the hedgehog, that developed spikes to protect itself from predators, or cheetahs that developed good muscles in their legs to run faster than their prey.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoGenetic variation ensures that no one single event can cause that total extinction of a species.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIt allows them to better adapt to their environment and successfully survive and reproduce.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoWhen everyone reacts differently to a situation (biodiversity) there is a better chance of survival.
Anonymous
Genetic variation ensures that no one single event can cause
that total extinction of a species.
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Natural selection acts on variation by?
Natural selection acts on variation by picking out from a population's gene pool those that are more fit to survive. More variation leads to more natural selection. For example, currently endangered cheetas are found out to have less genetic variation than other animals. As a result, if a disatrouous event occured, there are no genes that could help the cheetas survived. Thus, natural selection prevent the cheetas from reproducing as a population and they become extinct.
What does natural selection act upon?
Natural Selection is driven by random mutations and sexual reproduction. Organisms produce more offspring than can survive. These offspring compete for resources for food and water and who can aviod stuff such as predators and disease. Sexual Reproduction allows a population to have variation. If all of a population was the same, then it could easily die out if it had a adaptation that decreased its chance of survival. With sexual reproduction, all of a population has some sort of variation. Random Mutations allow organisms to gain new adaptions to help them survive in their environment. Together, Random mutations and sexual reproduction allow organisms that can survive in their environment survive and pass on their genes to their offspring.
What is the process in evolution leads to the adaptations in organisms that help them to survive?
Design!
Does gene flow help maintain species identity?
yes
Why do you teach science in school?
because if people need any help in anything about their body or how to survive, science would help them in those ocassions
How does variation ensure that a species to survive?
Creation of variation occurs in a species and help in the survival to species as the most suitable or favorable character pass next generation and under unfavorable condition only the most fit organism survive and help in continuation of the species.
How does variation in a species help the species survive?
As each new generation is produced, genetic variation may be introduced into a population. The more genetic variation in a population, the more likely it is that some individuals might have traits that will be advantageous if the environment changes.
How does genetic combination help a species to survive?
It causes diversity and variation amongst a population
What variation would help a land plant survive if long-lasting droughts developed?
what variation would help a land survive in long lasting droughts
How does the creations of variations in species promote survival?
Creation of variation occurs in a species and help in the survival to species as the most suitable or favorable character pass next generation and under unfavorable condition only the most fit organism survive and help in continuation of the species.
What is a variation that can help an organism survive?
A "variation" is a genetic feature expressed in some physical, physio chemical or behavioral manner by a living organism that is not present in the general population of the species to which that living organism belongs. If that variation advantages that animal as compared to others of that species then the likelihood is that that animal will breed more successfully, potentially passing on that variation to its offspring. Slowly variations accumulate and one species changes into a new species - this is called evolution.
How does having a diverse gene pool help a species survive?
It creates genetic variation within the species allowing them to adapt to changes in their environment through the process of natural selection. Species without genetic diversity are at a greater risk for unhealthy reproduction because they will have a greater tendency to produce offspring with recessive genetic diseases.
How can genetic material variation help some offspring survive?
Because on very, very rare occasions the variation may be helpful
How does having a diverse gene pool help a specie survive?
Species that lack a diverse gene pool are less able to adapt to changes in the environment and are less able to survive diseases.
How does reproduction help a species survive?
Reproduction does not help a species to survive, it allows for a species to survive by replacing the ageing population. Without reproduction a species would cease to exist within 1 generation. By reproducing, the species adds to it's population, which helps the species to survive for a longer period of time, because they will not be killed off as easy and will not go extinct:)
Solution to help rhino species survive?
NOTHING!
How does variation allow some animals to survive better than others?
The animals with the abilities that will help them to survive better than those without the same abilities will likely survive longer and will not be killed by predators. Those animals will live on and give their children the same abilities to survive, helping the species to adapt to a hostile environment.
