The mutation accumulation and antagonistic pleiotropy hypotheses for senescence both make which of the following predictions about extrinsic mortality?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both the mutation accumulation and antagonistic pleiotropy hypotheses propose that natural selection is weaker at later ages, leading to increases in the accumulation of deleterious mutations or pleiotropic effects that are beneficial early in life but harmful later in life. These hypotheses predict that senescence occurs earlier in populations with higher rates of extrinsic mortality, as organisms in these populations are less likely to survive to older age classes where senescence is most evident. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

The Mutation Accumulation and Antagonistic Pleiotropy Hypotheses for Senescence Both