When Evolution Occurred on the Galápagos Islands,the Finch Beaks

question 8

Multiple Choice

When evolution occurred on the Galápagos Islands,the finch beaks

• A)of individual birds in the population changed size and shape between the time of fledging the nest and adulthood due to the environmental stress induced by drought.
• B)varied in size across the population and sometimes conferred benefits in feeding,survivorship,and reproduction that were passed down to surviving offspring.
• C)had corresponding genetic codes in the DNA that were modified or mutated by individuals when attempting to survive the stressful environment of the drought.
• D)changed in size and depth only during the lifetime of the fittest birds able to survive the drought.

---

Definitions:

Vesicular Basalt

A type of igneous rock characterized by a porous structure due to gas bubbles trapped in the lava during solidification.

Pillow Basalts

Pillow basalts are bulbous, spherical lava formations created when lava erupts underwater or flows into water, rapidly cooling and solidifying.

Composite Volcano

A type of volcano formed by the eruption of viscous lava along with ash and rock, characterized by steep profiles and periodic, explosive eruptions.

Scoria Cone

A small, steep volcanic cone formed from fragments of lava ejected during explosive volcanic eruptions.