Question

a population of freshwater fish lives in a lake across a state; temperature has been gradually increasing due to climate change. some fish have a genetic variation that allows them to tolerate slightly higher temperatures. over several generations, the fish population shows a higher proportion of these heat-tolerant individuals. which of the following best predicts how the fish population will respond if the temperature continues to rise and explains why? a. the population will remain unchanged because all fish are equally likely to survive, regardless of genetic variation. b. the population will decline, because only the heat-tolerant fish survive; fish without this trait will die, reducing overall numbers. c. the proportion of heat-tolerant fish will increase, and the population may stabilize, because individuals with the trait are more likely to survive and reproduce under higher temperatures. d. the fish will develop new organs to survive the temperature increase within a single generation.

Explanation:

Answer:

C. The proportion of heat - tolerant fish will increase, and the population may stabilize, because individuals with the trait are more likely to survive and reproduce under higher temperatures.