LSAT 116 – Section 3 – Question 17

LSAT 116 - Section 3 - Question 17

June 2004

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Question QuickView	Type	Tags	Answer Choices	Curve	Question Difficulty	Psg/Game/S Difficulty	Explanation
PT116 S3 Q17	+LR	Must be false +MBF Conditional Reasoning +CondR Net Effect +NetEff	A 3% 157 B 9% 158 C 16% 159 D 13% 157 E 59% 167	153 161 168	+Hardest	146.244 +SubsectionMedium

If one of the effects of a genetic mutation makes a substantial contribution to the survival of the species, then, and only then, will that mutation be favored in natural selection. This process is subject to one proviso, namely that the traits that were not favored, yet were carried along by a trait that was favored, must not be so negative as to annul the benefits of having the new, favored trait.

Summary

If one effect of a genetic mutation contributes substantially to survival of a species, that mutation will be favored in natural selection. In addition, if a mutation is favored in natural selection, that means at least one effect of that mutation contributes substantially to survival of a species.
The rules above are subject to one exception — when the effect of traits that are carried along with the genetic mutation are so negative that they cancel out the benefits of a mutation, the mutation won’t be favored.

Notable Valid Inferences

There’s no clear inference to draw. We just need to understand the complicated rules in the stimulus accurately.

A species possesses a trait whose effects are all neutral for the survival of that species.

Could be true. A species can have a trait with only neutral effects. This just implies the trait won’t be favored by natural selection.

All the effects of some genetic mutations contribute substantially to the survival of a species.

Could be true. There could be some mutations that only do very helpful things for survival. These mutations will be favored.

A species possesses a trait that reduces the species’ survival potential.

Could be true. A species can have a trait that reduces survival potential. This trait won’t be favored.

A genetic mutation that carries along several negative traits is favored in natural selection.

Could be true. A genetic mutation can carry several negative traits. And that mutation can still be favored as long as the negative traits aren’t so negative as to outweigh the benefits of the mutation.

A genetic mutation whose effects are all neutral to a species is favored in natural selection.

Must be false. If the effects are all neutral, then the mutation won’t be favored. One requirement to be favored is that one effect contributes substantially to survival.

LSAT 116 – Section 3 – Question 17

LSAT 116 - Section 3 - Question 17

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Review Results

LSAT PrepTest 116 Explanations

Section 1 - Reading Comprehension

Section 2 - Logical Reasoning

Section 3 - Logical Reasoning

Section 4 - Reading Comprehension

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