What does it mean to say that a characteristic is heritable? a. The characteristic evolves. b. The characteristic can be passed on to offspring. c. The characteristic is advantageous to the organism. d. The characteristic does not vary in the population.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question. The question is asking for the meaning of the term 'heritable' in the context of a characteristic or trait of an organism.
2. Step 2: Review the options. Option a suggests that heritability means the characteristic evolves. This is not necessarily true. While evolution can lead to changes in heritable traits over time, not all heritable traits evolve.
3. Step 3: Consider option b. This option suggests that heritability means the characteristic can be passed on to offspring. This is the correct definition of heritability. Heritable traits are those that can be inherited, or passed from parents to offspring through genes.
4. Step 4: Look at options c and d. Option c suggests that heritability means the characteristic is advantageous to the organism. This is not necessarily true. While some heritable traits may be advantageous, others may not be. Option d suggests that heritability means the characteristic does not vary in the population. This is also not necessarily true. Heritable traits can vary widely within a population.
5. Step 5: Choose the correct answer. Based on the definitions and explanations above, the correct answer is b. The characteristic can be passed on to offspring.

Key Concepts

Heritability

Heritability refers to the ability of a trait or characteristic to be passed from parents to their offspring through genetic transmission. This concept is fundamental in genetics and evolutionary biology, as it explains how traits can persist in a population over generations. A heritable characteristic is influenced by genes, which are inherited from one generation to the next.

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation is the diversity in gene frequencies within a population. It is essential for evolution, as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon. Characteristics that are heritable often exhibit variation among individuals, which can lead to differences in survival and reproduction, ultimately influencing the population's genetic makeup.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is a process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This mechanism relies on heritable traits that confer advantages, allowing those traits to become more common in the population over time. Understanding natural selection is crucial for grasping how heritable characteristics can evolve and impact species adaptation.