Describe a specific type of chemical or audible communication used by animals to respond to an external stimulus and the resulting change in behavior. Explain how this type of communication may relate to natural selection within a population.

Answer 1

Reaction to an external stimulus requires sensing the stimulus. The five senses (hearing, sight, taste, smell, and touch) are used to detect the stimulus. The nervous system processes the information coming in from the senses and helps drive the responding behavior. For example, a response to light will change the resting patterns and responses to temperatures may cause others to migrate. Responses to these stimuli will change the behaviours of the affected population and could potentially put them at a disadvantage or advantage in their habitat, leading to natural selection having more of an impact.