AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Individuals in a population are naturally variable, meaning that they are all different in some ways. This variation means that some individuals have traits better suited to the environment than others. Individuals with adaptive traits-traits that give them some advantage-are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Detailed explanation-2: -Advantage of Variation The advantage of having variation within a population is that some individuals will be better adapted to their environment than others. Those individuals who are not well adapted to their environment are less likely to survive and reproduce.

Detailed explanation-3: -Genetic variation describes naturally occurring genetic differences among individuals of the same species. This variation permits flexibility and survival of a population in the face of changing environmental circumstances.

Detailed explanation-4: -Genetic variations that alter gene activity or protein function can introduce different traits in an organism. If a trait is advantageous and helps the individual survive and reproduce, the genetic variation is more likely to be passed to the next generation (a process known as natural selection).

Detailed explanation-5: -Genetic variation in a species results in individuals with a range of traits. In any particular environment individuals with particular traits may be more likely than others to survive and produce offspring.