The peanut-shell data collected by students illustrate which concept?

• A. Mutation rate
• B. Genetic drift
• C. Population size
• D. Variation within a species

Answer: (D)

Variation within a species is being shown. Seeing a range of peanut shells—different colors, sizes, shapes, and patterns—demonstrates that individuals within the same species are not identical. This diversity among members is the raw material for evolution and helps explain why populations can adapt to changing environments. It’s not about how often new genetic changes arise (mutation rate), nor about how allele frequencies shift over generations in small populations (genetic drift), nor about how many individuals are present (population size). The data specifically highlight that there is variation among individuals within the peanut population.