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Multiple Choice
In genetics, what term refers to the number of fertile offspring produced by an individual during its lifetime?
A
Mutation rate
B
Genotype
C
Fitness
D
Allele frequency
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of 'fitness' in genetics. Fitness refers to an individual's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, contributing fertile offspring to the next generation.
Step 2: Compare 'fitness' with the other terms provided in the problem. Mutation rate refers to the frequency at which changes occur in the DNA sequence, which is unrelated to the number of offspring produced.
Step 3: Understand that 'genotype' refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, which influences traits but does not directly measure reproductive success.
Step 4: Recognize that 'allele frequency' describes the proportion of a specific allele in a population, which is a population-level concept rather than an individual-level measure like fitness.
Step 5: Conclude that 'fitness' is the correct term because it directly measures the number of fertile offspring produced by an individual during its lifetime, reflecting its reproductive success.