Answer :
Final answer:
A beneficial recessive mutation can reach fixation in a population if it provides a reproductive advantage and is subjected to positive selective pressures.
Explanation:
Whether a beneficial recessive mutation can reach fixation depends on various evolutionary forces, including natural selection, genetic drift, population size, and mutations rates. A recessive mutation that confers a selective advantage might increase in frequency within a population through natural selection, though its initial rise in frequency would be slow due to its recessive nature. However, in a large population with a low mutation rate, its fixation is unlikely without strong selective pressures.
Genetic drift can play a significant role, especially in small populations, where chance events cause random fluctuations in allele frequencies. In small populations, even beneficial alleles can be lost due to drift, unless the reproductive success significantly influences the trait associated with the allele.
Positive selective pressures can tip the balance toward an increase in allele frequency, leading to steady state. However, if the environment changes or new mutations arise that affect the trait, the dynamics can shift, leading to different evolutionary outcomes.
