Question

What is the relationship between variation and evolution?

Options

• Variation and evolution are synonymous terms

• Evolution occurs independently of variation

• Heritable variation is the fundamental basis for evolution

• Only environmental variations drive evolutionary change

Answer 1

Variation serves as the fundamental basis for evolution, but only when traits are heritable. Heritable variations, arising from alterations in gene combinations through recombination and mutation, provide the genetic diversity upon which natural selection acts, enabling evolutionary change over generations.