Question
A student is comparing the leg lengths of the rabbits in a population. She wonders if natural selection is occurring. She asks you to evaluate her conclusions. Select ALL that are NOT supported by her data.
Responses
A The rabbits with medium length legs are the most stable and thus will out survive the others.The rabbits with medium length legs are the most stable and thus will out survive the others.
B Medium length legs appears to be neither an advantage or disadvantage in the current environment.Medium length legs appears to be neither an advantage or disadvantage in the current environment.
C The rabbits with longer legs have a selective advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce.The rabbits with longer legs have a selective advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce.
D It is unlikely that evolution is occurring because none of the traits have disappeared from the population.It is unlikely that evolution is occurring because none of the traits have disappeared from the population.
E A predator is the likely source of natural selection in this population as the rabbits with longer legs are more likely to escape compared with those with the shorter legs.
Responses
A The rabbits with medium length legs are the most stable and thus will out survive the others.The rabbits with medium length legs are the most stable and thus will out survive the others.
B Medium length legs appears to be neither an advantage or disadvantage in the current environment.Medium length legs appears to be neither an advantage or disadvantage in the current environment.
C The rabbits with longer legs have a selective advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce.The rabbits with longer legs have a selective advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce.
D It is unlikely that evolution is occurring because none of the traits have disappeared from the population.It is unlikely that evolution is occurring because none of the traits have disappeared from the population.
E A predator is the likely source of natural selection in this population as the rabbits with longer legs are more likely to escape compared with those with the shorter legs.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To evaluate the conclusions the student has drawn about natural selection and the leg lengths of rabbits, let's examine each of the responses to determine which ones are NOT supported by her data:
A. **The rabbits with medium length legs are the most stable and thus will out survive the others.**
This statement claims that medium-length rabbits are more stable and will outperform others. If her data does not indicate a clear survival advantage for medium legged rabbits, this statement is unsupported.
B. **Medium length legs appears to be neither an advantage or disadvantage in the current environment.**
If her data does not show a significant trend favoring medium legs, then it is plausible to conclude that they are neutral. However, if the data suggests the opposite, this statement would not be supported.
C. **The rabbits with longer legs have a selective advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce.**
If her data does not indicate a clear advantage for longer-legged rabbits, this conclusion is unsupported.
D. **It is unlikely that evolution is occurring because none of the traits have disappeared from the population.**
Evolution can occur without traits disappearing; instead, it can manifest as changes in frequency of existing traits. Therefore, this conclusion about the lack of evolutionary change would typically not be supported by such reasoning.
E. **A predator is the likely source of natural selection in this population as the rabbits with longer legs are more likely to escape compared with those with the shorter legs.**
If her data indicates that longer legs provide a survival advantage against predators, this statement would be supported. However, if her data does not reflect that relationship, this statement would be unsupported.
Based on this evaluation, the responses that are NOT supported by her data would likely include:
- A (if data does not support advantage for medium legs)
- C (if data does not support advantage for longer legs)
- D (unless her findings specifically indicate no evidence of evolutionary traits)
The final choice depends on what her actual data presents about leg lengths in terms of survival and reproduction advantages.
A. **The rabbits with medium length legs are the most stable and thus will out survive the others.**
This statement claims that medium-length rabbits are more stable and will outperform others. If her data does not indicate a clear survival advantage for medium legged rabbits, this statement is unsupported.
B. **Medium length legs appears to be neither an advantage or disadvantage in the current environment.**
If her data does not show a significant trend favoring medium legs, then it is plausible to conclude that they are neutral. However, if the data suggests the opposite, this statement would not be supported.
C. **The rabbits with longer legs have a selective advantage that allows them to survive and reproduce.**
If her data does not indicate a clear advantage for longer-legged rabbits, this conclusion is unsupported.
D. **It is unlikely that evolution is occurring because none of the traits have disappeared from the population.**
Evolution can occur without traits disappearing; instead, it can manifest as changes in frequency of existing traits. Therefore, this conclusion about the lack of evolutionary change would typically not be supported by such reasoning.
E. **A predator is the likely source of natural selection in this population as the rabbits with longer legs are more likely to escape compared with those with the shorter legs.**
If her data indicates that longer legs provide a survival advantage against predators, this statement would be supported. However, if her data does not reflect that relationship, this statement would be unsupported.
Based on this evaluation, the responses that are NOT supported by her data would likely include:
- A (if data does not support advantage for medium legs)
- C (if data does not support advantage for longer legs)
- D (unless her findings specifically indicate no evidence of evolutionary traits)
The final choice depends on what her actual data presents about leg lengths in terms of survival and reproduction advantages.