You are reading a scientific article about cheetahs that have stripes instead of spots. The article refers to this as a genetic mutation. Though they have no negative impact on the cheetahs’ fitness, why are the stripes nevertheless considered a genetic mutation? A. Mutations only affect genotypes. B. Mutations are often adaptively neutral. C. Mutations always emerge as evolutionary disadvantages eventually. D. Mutations never have an effect on the phenotype.

The correct answer is option B. "Mutations are often adaptively neutral".

Explanation:

Evolutive adaptation is the result of spontaneous mutations creating advantageous traits that remain in a species under the premise of "survival of the fittest". However, mutations not always lead to the creation of advantageous traits. Actually, mutations are often adaptively neutral leading to the formation of traits that do not represent an advantage or disadvantage to the species. This phenomena explains why some cheetahs may have stripes instead of spots.