Why is genetic variation important to populations?

Genetic variation is crucial for populations as it enhances survival chances and adaptability. This variation provides a reservoir of different traits within a population, which is important for responding to changing environments, such as shifts in climate, the availability of resources, and the emergence of new diseases or predators. When individuals with different genetic backgrounds reproduce, they pass on a diverse range of alleles, leading to offspring that may possess advantageous traits. These advantageous traits can improve the likelihood of survival and reproduction in a given environment, allowing the population to adapt to changes over time.

For example, in a population of plants, some individuals may have traits that allow them to thrive in drought conditions, while others may be more resistant to pests. If environmental pressures change, having a diverse gene pool increases the chances that some individuals will survive and reproduce, thereby passing on those survival-enhancing traits to the next generation. This dynamic is fundamental to the process of natural selection, which drives evolution.

In contrast, the other responses suggest benefits that are either not true or detrimental to the survival and evolutionary potential of populations.