If a Finch Population with Heritable,variable Beak Size and Shape

question 41

Multiple Choice

If a finch population with heritable,variable beak size and shape arrived on an island on which only large seeds were available as a source of food,describe the natural selection process that would follow.

• A) Finches with smaller beaks would grow larger beaks so that they could eat the large seeds. All birds will reproduce and the frequency of large beaks within the population will increase.
• B) Finches with larger beaks will more easily eat the large seeds and thus more likely survive and produce offspring with similarly large beaks. The frequency of large beaks within the population will increase.
• C) All of the finches with small and medium beaks will soon die; all of the finches with large beaks will survive. The frequency of large beaks within the population will increase.
• D) Finches with smaller beaks would grow larger beaks so that they could eat the large seeds. Only these birds that grew larger beaks will reproduce and the frequency of large beaks within the population will increase.
• E) Finches with larger beaks will more easily eat the large seeds and not need to reproduce.

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Definitions:

Unconditioned Response

A naturally occurring reaction to an unconditioned stimulus that does not require learning.

Conditioned Response

A learned reaction to a previously neutral stimulus that occurs after repeated association with an unconditioned stimulus.

Unconditioned Stimulus

A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior learning or conditioning.

Conditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with the unconditioned stimulus, triggers a conditioned response.