In 1986, a nuclear power accident in Chernobyl, USSR now the Ukraine), led to high radiation levels for miles surrounding the plant. The high levels of radiation caused elevated mutation rates in the surviving organisms, and evolutionary biologists have been studying rodent populations in the Chernobyl area ever since. Based on your understanding of evolutionary mechanisms, which of the following most likely occurred in the rodent populations following the accident?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The high levels of radiation caused increased mutation rates, which likely led to increased genetic variation in the surviving rodent populations. This could potentially lead to the emergence of new traits, but would not necessarily result in the fixation of new alleles or major changes in rodent physiology over time. Genetic drift and decreased fitness may also occur, but are not specifically related to the effects of radiation and mutation.

In 1986, a Nuclear Power Accident in Chernobyl, USSR Now