Which would best allow a species to survive environmental changes?

• A. Genetic Diversity
• B. Small Population
• C. Low Mutation Rate
• D. Similar Physical Features

Answer: (A)

Having a variety of genes in a population lets it respond to environmental changes. When conditions shift, some individuals will carry traits that help them cope—such as tolerating higher temperatures, finding new food sources, or resisting a disease. Those individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing the helpful genes to their offspring, so the population as a whole becomes better suited to the new environment over time. Genetic diversity comes from new mutations, the mixing of genes during sexual reproduction, and gene flow between populations, all of which expand the range of possible traits.

If a population is small, there’s less genetic variety to draw on, so it’s easier for a single threat to affect many individuals and push the population toward extinction. A low mutation rate means fewer new traits appear to help with new challenges, making adaptation harder. Having very similar physical features means there’s less variation for natural selection to act on when conditions change. In contrast, diverse genes provide multiple potential solutions to new problems, making survival more likely. Therefore, genetic diversity best enables survival under environmental changes.