/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 4 Which is an example of an adapta... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 18: Problem 4

Which is an example of an adaptation? a. The better nutrition of a human helps her grow taller. b. The webbed feet of a duck help it swim. c. The urban location of a raccoon helps it find food. d. The large leaves of a desert plant require more water.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option b, the webbed feet of a duck, is an adaptation.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Adaptations

Adaptations are traits or characteristics that have evolved over time through natural selection, enabling organisms to survive and reproduce in their environments.
02

Evaluate Each Option

Analyze each provided option to determine if it represents a trait that has evolved to provide an advantage in the organism's specific environment.
03

Analyze Option a

The better nutrition of a human helps her grow taller: This is not an adaptation but a result of environmental factors, specifically nutrition.
04

Analyze Option b

The webbed feet of a duck help it swim: This trait provides a clear advantage for surviving in aquatic environments, representing a biological adaptation.
05

Analyze Option c

The urban location of a raccoon helps it find food: This statement describes behavior influenced by location, not a physical or genetic adaptation.
06

Analyze Option d

The large leaves of a desert plant require more water: This trait is disadvantageous in a desert environment where water is scarce, thus it is not an adaptation.
07

Select the Right Answer

Identify the option that represents an evolved trait providing an environmental advantage. Option b, the webbed feet of a duck, is the correct example of an adaptation.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

natural selection
Natural selection is a fundamental concept in biology explaining how species evolve. It鈥檚 the process where individuals with traits that are better suited for their environment survive and reproduce more than those that are not. Over time, this leads to changes in the traits of a population.
In essence, natural selection acts like a filter. Traits that are beneficial for survival and reproduction get 'selected' and become more common. For example, if webbed feet help ducks swim better, those with webbed feet are more likely to survive and pass on this trait to their offspring.
Natural selection is crucial because it drives adaptation, allowing species to become finely tuned to their environments.
evolutionary traits
Evolutionary traits are characteristics that have developed in a species over generations through the process of evolution. These traits can be physical, such as webbed feet in ducks or be behavioral, like the migratory patterns of birds.
Evolutionary traits are shaped by genetic changes. When a trait provides a significant advantage in survival or reproduction, it becomes more common in the population over time.
The webbed feet of ducks, for instance, did not appear suddenly. They evolved gradually, with each generation of ducks possessing slightly more webbed feet, which improved their swimming capability and gave them a higher chance of survival. This is a classic example of how evolutionary traits develop.
environmental survival
Environmental survival refers to how well an organism can live and reproduce in its specific habitat. This is often heavily influenced by adaptations that have been honed by natural selection.
For instance, desert plants have adaptations like thick, water-storing leaves to survive the harsh, dry climate. These adaptations address the unique challenges posed by their environment.
Webbed feet in ducks also improve their environmental survival by making them efficient swimmers. This is crucial for finding food and evading predators in aquatic settings.
Overall, environmental survival is about the dynamic relationship between an organism鈥檚 traits and its habitat. Adaptations that improve this relationship boost the organism's chances of thriving in its environment.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

How does the scientific meaning of 鈥渢heory鈥� differ from the common vernacular meaning? a. A scientific theory is a hypothesis that needs to be tested, whereas people often use theory to mean a simple guess. b. A scientific theory is a statement that has been proven correct, while people often use it to mean a statement that has not yet been verified. c. A scientific theory is a thoroughly tested set of explanations for a body of observations of nature, while people often use it to mean a guess or speculation. d. A scientific theory is a random guess, while people often use it to mean a statement that is somewhat based in fact.

Which situation is most likely an example of convergent evolution? a. Some fish that live in total darkness have eyes. b. Hawks and other birds have feathers. c. Worms and snakes both move without legs. d. Flowers that look very different have the same reproductive organs.

Which is the best definition of species? a. A group of individual organisms with significant genetic similarities b. a group of individual organisms with significant genetic similarities that share external and internal characteristics c. a group of individual organisms that interbreed d. a group of individual organisms that interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring

A biologist studies a population of voles for 20 years. During almost the entire research period, the population stays between 50 and 75 individuals. Additionally, fewer than half of the voles born do not survive to reproduce, due to predation and competition for food. Then, in one generation, 80% of the voles born live to reproduce. The population increases to 110 individuals. What inferences about food and predation can you make for the singular generation in which 80% of offspring survived? What prediction can you make about the genetic and phenotypic variation of future populations for this group of voles? a. Either there was fewer food available or the degree of predation increased. The future generations of this group of voles should evidence fewer genetic variation. b. Either there was fewer food available or the degree of predation increased. The future generations of this group of voles should evidence greater genetic variation. c. Either there was more food available or the degree of predation decreased. The future generations of this group of voles should evidence less genetic variation. d. Either there was more food available or the degree of predation decreased. The future generations of this group of voles should evidence greater genetic variation.

Which of the following statements is false? a. Graudal speciation and punctuated equilibrium both result in the divergence of species. b. Punctuated equilibrium is most likely to occur in a large population in a stable environment. c. In the punctuated equilibrium model, gradualism is not excluded. d. In the gradual speciation model, traits change incrementally
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Biological Organisms

Read Explanation

Heredity

Read Explanation

Organ Systems

Read Explanation

Biological Processes

Read Explanation

Biological Molecules

Read Explanation

Bioenergetics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.