An individual hydra is swept by an ocean current to an area of the ocean where no other hydras reside. The hydra asexually reproduces, as does its offspring, until there is a population of genetically identical hydra. Is it possible for this population to undergo natural selection?

A. Yes, the population will undergo changes in order to become better adapted to the new environment.

B. No, there is no genetic variation upon which natural selection can operate.

C. Yes, all populations are capable of undergoing natural selection.

D. No, natural selection does not occur in organisms that reproduce asexually.

Question

An individual hydra is swept by an ocean current to an area of the ocean where no other hydras reside. The hydra asexually reproduces, as does its offspring, until there is a population of genetically identical hydra. Is it possible for this population to undergo natural selection?

A. Yes, the population will undergo changes in order to become better adapted to the new environment.

B. No, there is no genetic variation upon which natural selection can operate.

C. Yes, all populations are capable of undergoing natural selection.

D. No, natural selection does not occur in organisms that reproduce asexually.

anonymous · Answer

C. Yes, all populations are capable of undergoing natural selection.

anonymous · Answer

Actually @parna is wrong. The answer is no, although I an't remember which.