Natural selection can make variations that are advantageous, or helpful, more common in a population over many generations. But not all advantageous variations are affected by natural selection. Natural selection affects only variations that are inherited, or passed down from parents to offspring through genes. Genes are pieces of hereditary material containing instructions that affect inherited traits. Natural selection does not affect variations that are acquired, or gained during an individual's life. Acquired variations can be learned by an individual or caused by the environment, but they cannot be passed down through genes. Which of the following describe a mouse with a variation that could be affected by natural selection? Select all that apply.
