Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

What term describes traits that are alternatives to the wild type, such as white eyes in a fruit fly?

1. Normal phenotypes

2. Mutant phenotypes

3. Phenotypic variations

4. Dominant traits

The correct answer is: Mutant phenotypes

The term that describes traits that are alternatives to the wild type, such as white eyes in a fruit fly, is indeed mutant phenotypes. Mutant phenotypes arise from genetic mutations that result in different observable characteristics compared to the typical or "wild type" traits. In the case of the fruit fly, where the common phenotype may have red eyes, the presence of white eyes indicates a specific genetic alteration that deviates from the norm, characterizing them as mutations. Understanding this concept is crucial in genetics, as the study of both wild type and mutant phenotypes allows researchers to investigate the effects of specific genes and how they determine traits. This comparison enhances our understanding of genetic variation and evolution.