Evolution is the change through time in the gene/allele frequencies of an individual. a) True b) False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct answer: b) False
Explanation:
The statement “Evolution is the change through time in the gene/allele frequencies of an individual” is false because evolution refers to changes in allele frequencies within a population, not within an individual.
An individual has a fixed set of genes and alleles from the moment of fertilization (barring mutations), and these do not change throughout its life. While mutations can occur in individuals, these are rare and typically don’t result in evolutionary change unless passed on to the next generation. Evolution, as defined in modern biology, is a population-level process that occurs over generations, not within a single organism.
Evolution is best described as the change in the frequency of alleles (variants of a gene) in a population over time. This change can be caused by several mechanisms:
- Natural Selection – certain traits become more common because they confer a survival or reproductive advantage.
- Genetic Drift – random changes in allele frequencies, especially in small populations.
- Gene Flow – movement of genes between populations, which introduces new alleles.
- Mutation – random changes in DNA that can introduce new alleles into a population.
For example, if a population of beetles has both green and brown individuals, and birds eat more green beetles, the allele for brown coloration may become more common over generations. This change in frequency is evolution.
In summary, evolution is not a process that happens within an individual but rather across populations over time. The correct concept involves changes in the genetic makeup of populations, which is the foundation of the field of evolutionary biology. Thus, the statement in the question is inaccurate.