A new strain of HIV has evolved within a patient with lower virulence (lower replication rate). It currently exists alongside the higher-virulence strain from which it was derived. What is likely to happen over time?

A. The higher-virulence strain will be favored by natural selection within the host.
B. The lower-virulence strain will come to dominate the population within the host.
C. The lower-virulence strain will be more likely to be transmitted to new hosts.
D. Mutation will continue to lower the virulence of the lower-virulence strain.

The coexistence of a new strain of HIV with a lower replication rate and the higher virulence strain from which it was derived within a host has significant implications. Over time, this coexistence will result in the lower-virulence strain becoming more prevalent and dominant within the host.

In addition, the replication of the lower-virulence strain within a host will likely cause the mutation of this strain, which will lead to the further lowering of its virulence. However, the higher-virulence strain will not be favored by natural selection within the host; instead, it will experience competition and be replaced by the lower-virulence strain.

Accordingly, the lower-virulence strain will become more common, while the higher-virulence strain will become less frequent. The lower-virulence strain's capacity to multiply and be transmitted to new hosts will make it more advantageous than the higher-virulence strain.

As a result, the lower-virulence strain will ultimately become more dominant.

To know more about lower-virulence strains, visit:

https://brainly.com/question/9563835

#SPJ11