Author Question: How would Darwin explain the origin of over a dozen different species of finches on the Galapagos ... (Read 146 times)

tfester

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 534
How would Darwin explain the origin of over a dozen different species of finches on the Galapagos Islands, when it was thought that only one species was the original parent species for all?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In which situation would you expect to be closest to peak load?
 
  A) on a windy day
  B) on a cool, sunny day
  C) on an extremely hot day
  D) in the middle of a spring night
  E) Peak load is always the same, regardless of time or weather.


ngr69

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 318
Answer to Question 1

At the heart of Darwin's explanation is his theory of natural selection, which states that within any species there is a natural variation for any given trait (in this case, beak size and shape). Once the parent species began to populate the various islands in the Galapagos, there were different selective forces at work on the finches because each island had slightly different physical parameters (for example, different temperatures and precipitation resulting in different vegetation). In the process of natural selection, individuals in a population that are most fit for that particular condition survive and leave more offspring, causing their adaptations to become more common in the population. Therefore, on the more desert/dry islands where smaller seeds were prevalent, finches that had smaller beaks were better suited and flourished. After several generations, the population on this island became mostly small-beaked finches. On one island, a species of finch actually evolved to use small sticks or cactus spines to prod insects from crevices and holes in trees, as there were very few seeds on this island.

Answer to Question 2

C



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question


 

Did you know?

More than 2,500 barbiturates have been synthesized. At the height of their popularity, about 50 were marketed for human use.

Did you know?

The term pharmacology is derived from the Greek words pharmakon("claim, medicine, poison, or remedy") and logos ("study").

Did you know?

Cytomegalovirus affects nearly the same amount of newborns every year as Down syndrome.

Did you know?

Approximately one in four people diagnosed with diabetes will develop foot problems. Of these, about one-third will require lower extremity amputation.

Did you know?

Critical care patients are twice as likely to receive the wrong medication. Of these errors, 20% are life-threatening, and 42% require additional life-sustaining treatments.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library