Many Rats Were Tested for Their Ability to Learn to Navigate

question 2

Multiple Choice

Many rats were tested for their ability to learn to navigate a maze. The average number of errors, for a total of 14 trials, was 64 per rat. The rats that made the fewest errors were bred to each other, and the offspring were tested in a similar way. This process was repeated for seven generations, at which point the average number of errors for 14 trials was 36. This experiment demonstrates that

• A) learned behavior cannot be inherited.
• B) maze-learning ability has a genetic basis.
• C) maze-learning ability depends mainly on early contact with adept parents.
• D) natural selection has a role in the evolution of fixed action patterns but not in the evolution of behavior involving learning.

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Definitions:

Evolutionary Relationships

The connections among species or groups of organisms that arise from a common ancestor, elucidated through the study of physical characteristics, genetics, and comparative anatomy.

Classifying Organisms

The scientific practice of organizing and categorizing living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics.

Systematics

The examination of organism diversity and their ancestral connections through scientific methods.

Diversity

The range of different species, genetic variations, or ecosystems present in an area, often considered a measure of its biological richness.