In 1986, a nuclear power accident in Chernobyl, USSR (now 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 radiation exposure likely caused increased genetic variation through the introduction of new mutations. This could potentially lead to changes in the frequency of certain traits in the population over time, through natural selection or other mechanisms.

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