Heterozygotes for the sickle cell trait have an adaptive advantage in areas where malaria is prevalent. This is an example of ____.
A) a fixed allele
B) genetic drift
C) a balanced polymorphism
D) sexual selection
E) disruptive selection

Question

​Heterozygotes for the sickle cell trait have an adaptive advantage in areas where malaria is prevalent. This is an example of ____.
A) ​a fixed allele
B) ​genetic drift
C) ​a balanced polymorphism
D) ​sexual selection
E) ​disruptive selection

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of a balanced polymorphism, where two or more alleles persist in a population because the heterozygous condition confers a survival advantage, in this case, resistance to malaria.

​Heterozygotes for the Sickle Cell Trait Have an Adaptive Advantage

Heterozygotes for the Sickle Cell Trait Have an Adaptive Advantage