Question
This picture shows different beak shapes of finches that all originated from a common finch ancestor. Beak shape determines food source. Which of the following statements best explains why many different finch species originated from the single ancestral species?
beak
Random mutations occurred and caused individuals to have harmful traits
Recessive traits in populations were eliminated over time.
Different population adapted to different food sources
Individuals changed their beak size over their lifetime.
beak
Random mutations occurred and caused individuals to have harmful traits
Recessive traits in populations were eliminated over time.
Different population adapted to different food sources
Individuals changed their beak size over their lifetime.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The statement that best explains why many different finch species originated from the single ancestral species is:
**Different populations adapted to different food sources.**
This reflects the process of natural selection, where variations in traits (such as beak shapes) allowed different populations of finches to exploit various food sources, leading to the diversification of species.
**Different populations adapted to different food sources.**
This reflects the process of natural selection, where variations in traits (such as beak shapes) allowed different populations of finches to exploit various food sources, leading to the diversification of species.