A number of plants in a wilderness area carry a mutation that makes their soft, colorful fruits bitter and unpalatable. Would you expect this mutation to increase or decrease in frequency in the plant's population?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mutation will likely decrease in frequency because the bitter and unpalatable fruits are less likely to be eaten by animals, which are often responsible for dispersing seeds. Without effective seed dispersal, the plants with the mutation will have reduced reproductive success.

A Number of Plants in a Wilderness Area Carry a Mutation