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Multiple Choice
The likelihood that an individual will contribute fertile offspring to the next generation is called:
A
fitness
B
adaptation
C
genetic drift
D
mutation rate
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of 'fitness' in biology. Fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment, thereby contributing fertile offspring to the next generation.
Step 2: Compare 'fitness' with the other terms provided in the options. For example, 'adaptation' refers to traits or behaviors that improve an organism's ability to survive and reproduce, but it is not the direct measure of reproductive success.
Step 3: Examine 'genetic drift,' which is a random change in allele frequencies in a population over time. While it can affect reproductive success indirectly, it does not directly measure the likelihood of contributing fertile offspring.
Step 4: Consider 'mutation rate,' which refers to the frequency at which mutations occur in a genome. Mutations can lead to changes in traits, but this term does not directly describe reproductive success.
Step 5: Conclude that the term 'fitness' is the most accurate answer because it directly measures the likelihood of an individual contributing fertile offspring to the next generation.