WHAT IS LIFE? A GUIDE TO BIOLOGY W/PHYS.
WHAT IS LIFE? A GUIDE TO BIOLOGY W/PHYS.
5th Edition
ISBN: 9781319446581
Author: PHELAN
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 10, Problem 1SA
Summary Introduction

To review:

The benefit of conducting research on evolution in a population of short-lived organisms such as fruit flies.

Introduction:

Evolution is a process that occurs over many generations.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Many generations have to go through selection (natural selection or artificial selection by scientists) for evolution to occur. If a particular trait gives an organism an advantage in survival, it will become common in the population. Organisms with a short lifespan are preferred for the study of evolution because such organisms reach maturity soon. Therefore, many generations of organisms can be included in the experiment. On the contrary, if an organism with a long lifespan were to be chosen for study, it would take years to perform the experiment.

Conclusion

As seen in the starvation experiment, the study of organisms with a short lifespan allows the researcher to include many generations in the experiment.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Provide details of a mechanism that can result in the creation of new genes, with novel functions, that may contribute to the evolution of new species. Give a specific example.
Explain into details the concept of speciation .
n which situation would it make sense to use the morphological species concept?     When you are able to collect data about how individuals in your study use their habitat, but you are unable to determine if they interbreed     When working with fossils from extinct organisms     When you only have genetic data about each organism in your study     When you are not able to collect data about how individuals in your study use their habitat, but you are able to collect reproductive data
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
  • Text book image
    Biology (MindTap Course List)
    Biology
    ISBN:9781337392938
    Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Cengage Learning
FOSSIL FRIDAY: Primate Evolution | Grades 7-10; Author: Museum of the Rockies;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tVLfvm3AFk;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY