What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology
What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9781464157745
Author: Jay Phelan
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 8, Problem 1SA
Summary Introduction

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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
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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.

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