The Following Question Refers to the Figure

question 66

Multiple Choice

The following question refers to the figure.
In this eight-year experiment, 12 populations of E. coli, each begun from a single cell, were grown in low-glucose conditions for 20,000 generations. Each culture was introduced to fresh growth medium every 24 hours. Occasionally, samples were removed from the populations, and their fitness in low-glucose conditions was tested against that of members sampled from the ancestral (common ancestor) E. coli population.

E. coli cells typically make most of their ATP by metabolizing glucose. Under the conditions of this experiment, E. coli generation times in the experimental lines and low-glucose conditions should ________.

• A) be the same as in the typical environment
• B) be faster than in the typical environment
• C) be slower than in the typical environment
• D) increase over time in the experimental cells

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Definitions:

Punctuated Equilibrium

A theory in evolutionary biology suggesting that species experience periods of significant changes (punctuations) in short timespans, separated by longer periods of stability (equilibrium).

Additive Task

A task in which the contributions of all group members are combined to produce a final outcome.

Process Losses

Group performance difficulties stemming from the problems of motivating and coordinating larger groups.

Conjunctive Task

A task in which the performance of a group is dependent on the abilities of the weakest member, highlighting the importance of each member's contribution to achieving a collective goal.