Scientists have long believed that the 14 species of finches on the Galapagos Islands evolved from a single species of finch that migrated to the islands one to five million years ago. Recent DNA analyses support the conclusion that all of the Galapagos finches evolved from the mainland warbler finch. Different species live on different islands. One of the major changes in the finches is in their beak sizes and shapes. How would an evolutionary biologist today best answer the following question? How did the different beak types first arise in the Galapagos finches?   A. Changes in the finches' beaks occurred by chance, and when there was a good match between beak structures and available food, those birds had more offspring.   B. The changes in the finches' beaks occurred because the environment induced the desired genetic changes.   C. The finches' beaks changed a little bit in size and shape with each successive generation, some getting larger and some getting smaller.   D. The changes in the finches' beak size and shape occurred because of their need to be able to eat different kinds of food to survive.

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Scientists have long believed that the 14 species of finches on the Galapagos Islands evolved from a single species of finch that migrated to the islands one to five million years ago. Recent DNA analyses support the conclusion that all of the Galapagos finches evolved from the mainland warbler finch. Different species live on different islands. One of the major changes in the finches is in their beak sizes and shapes. How would an evolutionary biologist today best answer the following question?

How did the different beak types first arise in the Galapagos finches?

  A.

Changes in the finches' beaks occurred by chance, and when there was a good match between beak structures and available food, those birds had more offspring.

  B.

The changes in the finches' beaks occurred because the environment induced the desired genetic changes.

  C.

The finches' beaks changed a little bit in size and shape with each successive generation, some getting larger and some getting smaller.

  D.

The changes in the finches' beak size and shape occurred because of their need to be able to eat different kinds of food to survive.

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