Biology CLEP Prep Practice Exam

How does the environment affect the genetic makeup of an organism?

1. It can cause new gene mutations.

2. It can lead to recombination of alleles.

3. It can lead to the extinction of the species.

4. It can cause unexpected meiotic changes.

The correct answer is: It can cause new gene mutations.

The environment can affect the genetic makeup of an organism in multiple ways, but the most direct and accurate answer is A. The environment can cause new gene mutations through exposure to various environmental factors such as UV radiation, toxins, or increased temperatures. These mutations can result in permanent changes to an organism's DNA sequence which can then be passed on to future generations. The other choices, though potentially influenced by the environment, do not directly affect the genetic makeup of an organism. B, recombination of alleles, is a process that occurs during sexual reproduction and D, unexpected meiotic changes, is referring to potential errors during cell division. C, extinction of the species, is a result of various factors such as environmental changes or human activities, but it does not directly impact the genetic makeup of an individual organism.