Question

can you answer
Two insect groups vary genetically by two genes. When put together, they were able to reproduce and produce offspring that could also breed. Which best describes this insect population?
The insects experienced geographic isolation.
The insects experienced reproductive isolation.
The insects are different species.
The insects are the same species.

Which organisms are most likely to survive in a population in which disruptive selection is occurring?
organisms that have average traits
organisms that have extreme traits
organisms that have the greatest number of offspring
organisms that are the largest and strongest

In a bird population, 50 % of the individuals had white feathers, and 50% had colored feathers. Over time, it was observed that 98% of the population had colorful feathers. The rest had white feathers. How did the type of selection in this example affect the population’s biodiversity?
Directional selection did not increase the population’s biodiversity.
Stabilizing selection increased the population’s biodiversity.
Disruptive selection decreased the population’s biodiversity.
Ecosystem selection did not increase the population’s biodiversity.

Stick insects, also called walking sticks, are typically found in tropical and subtropical forests and grasslands. The insects are able to camouflage themselves by living among twigs in their environment.

A walking stick bug standing on a twig.

What is this an example of?
adaptation
biodiversity
isolation
variation

Which of the following is the definition for speciation?
an inherited or learned trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival in its environment
the evolutionary process through which new species emerge
a process by which organisms well suited to their environment tend to pass their traits onto offspring
a process by which one of the extreme variations of a trait is favored

Answer 1

1) The insects are the same species.
- They can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, which defines a single species.

2) Organisms that have extreme traits.
- Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes, not the average.

3) Directional selection did not increase the population’s biodiversity.
- The change toward colorful feathers is directional selection, which shifts the trait distribution and does not increase diversity.

4) Adaptation.
- Camouflage that improves survival is an adaptation.

5) The evolutionary process through which new species emerge.
- That is the definition of speciation.