The same gene that causes various coat patterns in wild and domesticated cats also causes the cross-eyed condition in these cats, the cross-eyed condition being slightly maladaptive. In a hypothetical environment, the coat pattern that is associated with crossed eyes is highly adaptive, with the result that both the coat pattern and the cross-eyed condition increase in a feline population over time. Which statement is supported by these observations?
A) Evolution is progressive and tends toward a more perfect population.
B) Phenotype is often the result of compromise.
C) Natural selection reduces the frequency of maladaptive genes in populations over the course of time.
D) Polygenic inheritance is generally maladaptive, and should become less common in future generations.
E) In all environments, coat pattern is a more important survival factor than is eye-muscle tone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation that the same gene that causes coat patterns in cats also causes the cross-eyed condition, which is slightly maladaptive, suggests that phenotype is often the result of compromise. In this hypothetical environment, the coat pattern associated with crossed eyes is highly adaptive, indicating that there may be other factors at play in determining which traits are advantageous in a particular environment. This supports the idea that natural selection operates on a variety of factors and that phenotype is often the result of compromise between conflicting selective pressures.

The Same Gene That Causes Various Coat Patterns in Wild