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The selective breeding of plants and animals that possess desired traits is a process called artificial selection. For example, broccoli, cabbage, and kale are all vegetables that have been selected from one species of wild mustard. How is artificial selection both similar to and different from Darwin’s conception of natural selection? Does artificial selection provide evidence for evolution by natural selection? Explain. a. Both artificial selection and natural selection are the differential reproduction of individual organisms with favored traits. In artificial selection, humans have actively modified plants and animals by selecting and breeding individuals with traits deemed desirable. In natural selection, the most successful individuals in a species are selected by the species to reproduce b. Both artificial selection and natural selection are processes that result in better-adapted individuals within a species. In artificial selection, humans have actively modified plants and animals by selecting beneficial genes from other organisms and inserting them into the target organisms. In natural selection, natural processes such as mutations and viruses introduce new genes to a population c. Both artificial selection and natural selection are processes that cause organisms to be better adapted over time. In artificial selection, humans have trained animals to be more successful in completing tasks that the humans want completed. In natural selection, organisms train the functions that they will need to survive and reproduce d. Both artificial selection and natural selection are the differential reproduction of individual organisms with favored traits. In artificial selection, humans have actively modified plants and animals by selecting and breeding individuals with traits deemed desirable. In natural selection, individuals are selected naturally as its traits deem it more fit for survival and reproduction

Short Answer

Expert verified
d. Artificial selection is human-driven, while natural selection is nature-driven. Artificial selection supports evolution by showing trait changes over generations.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Concepts

Artificial selection is the process by which humans select and breed individuals with desired traits in plants or animals. Natural selection, on the other hand, is nature’s way of selecting individuals who are better adapted to survive and reproduce in their environment.
02

Compare Artificial and Natural Selection

Both artificial selection and natural selection involve the differential reproduction of organisms with favored traits. In artificial selection, humans make the choices, whereas in natural selection, environmental pressures determine which traits are favorable.
03

Analyze the Given Options

Now look at the provided options and see which one reflects the similarities and differences accurately: a. Discusses human intervention in artificial selection and natural selection determined by species.b. States that beneficial genes are transferred by humans and natural processes introduce new genes.c. Mentions training animals by humans and organisms training themselves.d. Highlights differential reproduction with human involvement in artificial selection and natural selection driven by nature.
04

Select the Correct Option

Based on the analysis, option d correctly describes both processes accurately: Artificial selection involves human intervention, whereas natural selection is driven by natural factors.
05

Reflect on Evidence for Evolution

Artificial selection does provide evidence for evolution by natural selection as it shows that selecting and breeding for certain traits can lead to observable changes in a species over generations.

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Key Concepts

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

natural selection
Natural selection is an essential mechanism of evolution. It occurs when individuals with certain traits have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing. These traits become more common in a population over time, guiding evolutionary change.
Nature is constantly influencing which traits are favorable. For example, animals with traits that help them avoid predators, find food, or withstand harsh weather are more likely to survive.
Natural selection doesn't involve humans. Instead, it's the environment that 'selects' which traits are advantageous. It's important to remember:
  • Traits that increase survival and reproduction chances are passed on.
  • Over generations, these traits become more common in the population.
  • Natural selection is a gradual process.
evolution
Evolution is the process through which species change over time. It explains how all life on Earth is connected and how species adapt to their environments.
Natural selection is one of the main drivers of evolution. When particular traits help organisms survive and reproduce, these traits spread through populations over generations.
Here's how evolution works:
  • Variation: There is natural variation in traits within a population.
  • Inheritance: Traits must be heritable so they can be passed on to offspring.
  • Selection: Environmental pressures determine which traits are advantageous.
  • Time: Evolution occurs over many generations.
differential reproduction
Differential reproduction refers to the differences in reproductive success among individuals in a population. Some individuals will produce more offspring than others based on their traits.
In natural selection, environment pressures lead to differential reproduction as individuals with beneficial traits reproduce more successfully.
Key points include:
  • Not all individuals in a population reproduce equally.
  • Individuals with favorable traits leave more offspring.
  • These beneficial traits become more common over time.
Artificial selection also involves differential reproduction, but in this case, humans decide which traits are desirable and select individuals for breeding based on those traits.
adaptation
Adaptation is when a trait becomes more common in a population because it provides some advantage in survival or reproduction.
Natural selection leads to adaptations over many generations. As environments change, the traits that are advantageous may also change, guiding the evolution of species.
Key characteristics of adaptation include:
  • Improves an organism's chances of survival and reproduction.
  • Occurs gradually through the process of natural selection.
  • Can be structural (like a bird's beak), behavioral (like migration), or physiological (like an animal's metabolism).
Artificial selection can also result in adaptations, though these are guided by human preferences rather than environmental pressures.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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.

Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth) had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light-colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light-colored trees and were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. Commonly used in biology textbooks, the peppered moth is a classic example of evolutionary change in action. The example describes changes in a population’s allele frequencies-a small-scale change, evolutionarily speaking. The presence of both light and dark forms within the gene pool is demonstrated by the story, but the peppered moth stays a peppered moth. Which scenario, if it were to occur, would be a model for large-scale evolutionary change? a. Conditions change such that the dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is diminished in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, the dark form is vulnerable, and the light form returns to prevalence. b. Conditions change such that the dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is eradicated in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, the dark form is vulnerable, and the dark form is eradicated due to predation. c. Conditions change such that dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is diminished in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, and both forms have equal prevalence. d. Conditions change such that dark form of the moth is favored and the light form is eradicated in the population due to predation. Conditions change again, the dark form is vulnerable. It develops an adaptation that shields it from predation.

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.

Prior to 1800 in England, the typical moth of the species Biston betularia (peppered moth) had a light pattern. Dark colored moths were rare. By the late 19th century, the light-colored moths were rare, and the moths with dark patterns were abundant. The cause of this change was hypothesized to be selective predation by birds (J.W. Tutt, 1896). During the industrial revolution, soot and other wastes from industrial processes killed tree lichens and darkened tree trunks. Thus, prior to the pollution of the industrial revolution, dark moths stood out on light-colored trees and were vulnerable to predators. With the rise of pollution, however, the coloring of moths vulnerable to predators changed to light. In the late 1900s, England cleaned up its air, and pollution decreased. The bark of trees went from dark to light. Which of the following outcomes to the populations of peppered moth would you expect given this environmental change? a. An increase in the number of dark moths and a decrease in the number of light moths b. an increase in the number of moths overall c. an approximately equal number of light moths and dark moths d. an increase in the number of light moths and a decrease in the number of dark moths

Populations of a nocturnal toad live along a long river. On the other side of a band of territory that is about 10 kilometers wide, there are populations of a toad that appear similar. Which of the following data would provide compelling evidence that the two populations represent different species? a. The populations of toads on the other side of the banded territory are not completely nocturnal. b. Fertile hybrid populations of toads are foundmbetween the two other populations. c. There appear to be some hybrid toads between the two populations, but they are few and frail. d. The two populations of toads enact very different mating behaviors.

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