Evolutionary Analysis (5th Edition)
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780321616678
Author: Jon C. Herron, Scott Freeman
Publisher: PEARSON
expand_more
expand_more
format_list_bulleted
Concept explainers
Videos
Textbook Question
Chapter 3, Problem 1Q
In everyday English, the word adaptation means an adjustment to environmental conditions. How is the evolutionary definition of adaptation different from the everyday English sense?
Expert Solution & Answer
Summary Introduction
To determine: The way by which evolutionary definition of adaptation is different from everyday English sense.
Introduction: Evolution is a natural process that includes several changes over several generations in the characteristics of a species by the process of natural selection, thereby leading to the evolution of a new species.
Explanation of Solution
Generally, in everyday life, the term adaptation indicates modifications of a specific individual during their lifetime in the living environment for better survival. However, the changes do not influence the process of reproduction. The traits that are developed by the process of natural selection over several generations constitute evolutional adaptations; these traits can also be defined as comparative reproductive fitness. For example, consider the evolution of enzymes in organisms. Organisms that had the ability to synthesize reverse transcriptase had better chances of survival than the organisms that lacked the enzyme.
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
Evolutionary biologists often say that evolution “selects for outcomes” not for the particular genetic changes that lead to that adaptive outcome. Given that perspective, is it surprising that different gene mutations might be involved in the evolution of the same trait (such as light skin or adaptation to living in high mountains)? Why or why not?
What is an adaptation in the context of evolution?
A heritable trait that was favored by natural selection. choose one of the following.
A random genetic mutation that causes a new trait in a population.
The ability of an individual to adjust to their environment as it changes..
Choose all of the correct statements about complex adaptations:
Complex adaptations might evolve through a combination of of gene recruitment and promiscuous proteins.
The parts of a complex adaptation may have evolved for a different function originally.
Complex adaptations require all parts of the adaptation to evolve simultaneously.
Complex adaptation do not evolve by natural selection.
Complex adaptations are composed of multiple, different traits, such as behavior and physiology.
Complex adaptations are 'irreducibly complex'.
Complex adaptations are the result of parallel evolution.
omplex adaptations always take thousands of years to evolve.
Chapter 3 Solutions
Evolutionary Analysis (5th Edition)
Ch. 3 - In everyday English, the word adaptation means an...Ch. 3 - a. Describe Darwins four postulates in your own...Ch. 3 - Think about how the finch bill data demonstrate...Ch. 3 - According to the text, it is correct to claim that...Ch. 3 - A common creationist criticism of the finch study...Ch. 3 - Suppose that you are starting a long-term study of...Ch. 3 - At the end of an article on how mutations in...Ch. 3 - Describe three major objections to Darwins theory...Ch. 3 - Many working scientists are relatively...Ch. 3 - a. Describe Behes argument of irreducible...
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Find more solutions based on key concepts
Practice Problem ATTEMPT
Write the rate expressions for each of the following reactions:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Chemistry
Single penny tossed 20 times and counting heads and tails: Probability (prediction): _______/20 heads ________/...
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Practice Problem 1.22 Which of the following alkenes can exist as cis-trans isomers? Write their structures. Bu...
Organic Chemistry
Describe the role and impact of microbes on the earth.
Microbiology Fundamentals: A Clinical Approach
On what molecule does the anticodon appear? Explain the role of this molecule in protein synthesis.
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (8th Edition)
Knowledge Booster
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
- Why, of all the evolutionary mechanisms, is selection the only one that can result in adaptation?arrow_forwardA disorder that leads to nearsightedness is caused by a genetic mutation. On a small island in the pacific, nearsightedness was particularly harmful to people living there because they relied on sight to interpret their surroundings. In the 1600s, a huge storm killed many of the people on this island. Before the storm, 0.1% of the people had this disorder. Of the 50 people who survived the storm, 2% were nearsighted. Within a few generations, 10% of the islanders were nearsighted. Which is the likely evolutionary force behind this observation: natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and gene flow?arrow_forwardWhich of the following is true about adaptation? a) It occurs through the inheritance of acquired characteristics b) It always results in the evolution of new traits c) It is a result of chance mutations d) It is the result of natural selection acting on heritable variationarrow_forward
- The image below shows how the Pokemon Charmeleon evolves into Charizard over generations. Pokemon fight battles in order to evolve into stronger Pokemon. When Charmeleon (on the left) wins enough battles, they evolve into Charizard shown on the right. If they don't defeat other pokemon they will stay in the form on the left. Explain why this fictional process is not a realistic representation of evolution. Refer to commonly held misconceptions as well as criteria for evolution by natural selection in your answer.arrow_forwardThe path of whale evolution has involved the reduction or loss of several traits that are still prominent in most other mammals. TRUE (1) or FALSE (2). In terrestrial mammals, the sense of smell (olfaction) involves receptor proteins encoded by a number of genes. Whales don't have a sense of smell underwater, but their genomes still contain copies (pseudogenes) of some of these olfactory genes in their genomes. Because they are still present in whales' genomes, these genes must serve some other function in whales. Whales have some vestigial features like muscles that are attached to external ears in other mammals, even though whales have lost their external ears. Humans also lost some traits (e.g., body fur) and also have some vestigial traits, such as a mechanism to cause fur to stand on end even though we are mostly hairless (i.e., arrector pili muscles that produce goosebumps). Some features like hindlimb buds and whiskers are observed…arrow_forwardWhich of the following statements about ADAPTATION are TRUE? (Identify ALL that are TRUE) Select 3 correct answer(s) Question options: Adaptations include PHENOTYPE changes within a species or population, in response to changing environment Adaptations include changes in GENE EXPRESSION within individuals, making individuals better suited to changes in environmental conditions Adaptations include GENOTYPE changes within a species or population, making individuals better suited to a particular environment Adaptations include GENOTYPE changes within a species or population, in response to changing environment Adaptations include PHENOTYPE changes within an individual, making that individual better suited to a particular environmentarrow_forward
- Natural selection and artificial selection or selective breeding can both cause changes in animals and plants. The difference between the two is that natural selection happens naturally, but selective breeding only occurs when humans intervene. Changes in genetic traits have occurred over generations through both natural selection and selective breeding although the occur through different means. What characterizes only artificial selection? Choose all that apply. A) chickens that lay larger eggs are favored B) selection increases the chances of surviving C) selection make a species stronger and fit for survival D) selection favors the desired characters in the new organismsarrow_forwardWhat is one way you can use the theory of evolution to understand things in everyday life ? This can be anything from a better understanding of a disease to a deeper appreciation for art or philosophy.arrow_forwarda) Which of the following statements describes domestication? It is the process by which animals are trained to do tricks useful for human needs. It is the process by which wild species have been turned into species with traits that are useful for human needs. It is the process by which animals build nests to attract mates and raise young. It is the process by which plants have evolved to fill in ecological niches over time. b)To illustrate how common corn is in a typical American diet, the film narrator gives many examples, from corn-on-the-cob to foods that contain cornstarch and corn syrup. The narrator also mentions meat. What is the connection between the meat we eat and corn?arrow_forward
- Peter and Rosemary Grant are two biologists that were able to document evolution happening among finches in the Galapagos Islands, over the course of about 35 years. What causes these species to change over time? Changing weather events, like droughts and floods caused different traits to be more or less beneficial. The islands they live on were shifting during that period of time. The humans living there killed the birds they didn't like., The predators in the area were more likely to eat large birds. Submit 9% 6. marrow_forwardHow are adaptation (as a unifying theme) is exhibited across different organism?arrow_forwardYou are wandering in the Amazon rainforest, when you hear the loud call of an animal. You walk in the direction of the sound, and discover that it is coming from an adorable species of frog. a) What type of adaptation is being displayed by this species of frog? b) Describe how selection could work FOR and AGAINST this adaptation.arrow_forward
arrow_back_ios
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
arrow_forward_ios
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Animal Adaptations for Kids, Learn about physical, life cycle, and behavioral adaptations of animals; Author: Learn Bright;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2MibjJgyjs;License: Standard youtube license