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Questions and Answers
How could the environment change such that a population of columbine plants evolves from red-flowered to yellow-flowered plants?
How could the environment change such that a population of columbine plants evolves from red-flowered to yellow-flowered plants?
A change in the pollinator environment, such as a decrease in hummingbirds and an increase in hawkmoths, would favor the yellow-flowered plants.
Explain which three natural selection processes must be involved for a population of mainly red-flowered plants to change to a population of mainly yellow-flowered plants.
Explain which three natural selection processes must be involved for a population of mainly red-flowered plants to change to a population of mainly yellow-flowered plants.
Variation (color), inheritance (color is passed genetically), and differential reproductive success (yellow flowers reproduce better given pollinator environment).
Identify the environmental factors that would favor the dark brown mice in their normal habitats.
Identify the environmental factors that would favor the dark brown mice in their normal habitats.
Environments with darker soil or vegetation, providing better camouflage against predators, would favor dark brown mice.
Identify the environmental factors that would favor the tan colored mice in their white sand habitats.
Identify the environmental factors that would favor the tan colored mice in their white sand habitats.
Explain how natural selection could have resulted in the evolution of the lighter coat pattern in mice that live on white sand beaches. Include the roles of the four processes of natural selection.
Explain how natural selection could have resulted in the evolution of the lighter coat pattern in mice that live on white sand beaches. Include the roles of the four processes of natural selection.
How might the predictable evolution of flower color, as mentioned by Hodges, impact the local ecosystem over many generations?
How might the predictable evolution of flower color, as mentioned by Hodges, impact the local ecosystem over many generations?
Describe a scenario where the long feeding structures of hawkmoths and hummingbirds could become a disadvantage rather than an adaptation.
Describe a scenario where the long feeding structures of hawkmoths and hummingbirds could become a disadvantage rather than an adaptation.
How does studying the genetic basis of flower color, as mentioned in the article, contribute to our understanding of natural selection beyond just observing phenotypic changes?
How does studying the genetic basis of flower color, as mentioned in the article, contribute to our understanding of natural selection beyond just observing phenotypic changes?
Imagine a population of beach mice is introduced to a new beach with black sand. How would natural selection likely act on this population over time?
Imagine a population of beach mice is introduced to a new beach with black sand. How would natural selection likely act on this population over time?
Explain how genetic drift, in addition to natural selection, could influence the coat color of the beach mouse population, especially in a small, isolated population.
Explain how genetic drift, in addition to natural selection, could influence the coat color of the beach mouse population, especially in a small, isolated population.
Flashcards
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
A process where nature favors individuals with advantageous traits, increasing their survival and reproduction.
Columbine Flower Color Evolution
Columbine Flower Color Evolution
Columbine flowers have evolved to be either red (pollinated by hummingbirds) or white/yellow (pollinated by hawkmoths).
Environmental Change Impact
Environmental Change Impact
If the environment shifts to favor hawkmoths over hummingbirds, columbine plants may evolve from red to yellow/white.
Four Processes of Natural Selection
Four Processes of Natural Selection
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Beach Mouse Adaptation
Beach Mouse Adaptation
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Advantage of Dark Brown Mice
Advantage of Dark Brown Mice
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Advantage of Tan Colored Mice
Advantage of Tan Colored Mice
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Study Notes
- The discussion project for Unit 2 (BIOL 1309 Life on Earth) focuses on natural selection and has a timeline of Feb 10-Feb 28.
- The project uses two scenarios to explore different aspects of natural selection, covered in Section 4 of the study guide.
- Students should answer each question in a discussion post or attached document as either a Word file (DOCS) or Adobe Acrobat file (PDF), with Mac and iOS users not attaching PAGES files.
- Students are required to read and comment on the answers of other students with constructive criticism, explaining why they disagree with an answer and suggesting the correct one.
- Students should post comments to at least two other students and give constructive feedback.
- Meaningful comments, not just "I agree with your answers," are expected for credit.
- There are no "right" or "wrong" posts when replying to another student and everyone has different viewpoints.
- The instructor can be reached via email for questions.
- Academic integrity is valued, and dishonesty undermines learning.
- Scholastic dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, and inappropriate use of college resources. More information can be found at the Academic Integrity Process.
- Students should use course materials to learn concepts and apply them to assignments
- Answers to discussion project questions should be in students’ own words to consolidate information, and should not be copied from other sources or AI chatbots.
Natural Selection in Flower Color
- Columbines are common flowering plants in North America with long, tubular flowers that are either red or pale (white or yellow) in color.
- Columbines are pollinated by hummingbirds or hawkmoths.
- Both hawkmoths and hummingbirds have long feeding structures adapted to the length of columbine flowers.
- The discussion involves changes in the evolution of columbine plants in relation to the environment, with a focus on changes in the columbine plants.
- Studies document the evolution of columbine flowers in North America: red ones are pollinated by hummingbirds, and white or yellow ones by hawkmoths.
- A color shift from red to white or yellow has occurred five times in North America.
- Hawkmoths mostly visit and pollinate white or pale flowers.
- Natural selection changes flower color from red to white or yellow when a plant population shifts from being predominantly hummingbird-pollinated to hawkmoth-pollinated.
- Evolution of flower color may be predictable.
- Flowers evolve to match the mouthparts of pollinating birds and insects.
- Pollinators of the yellow columbine flower, Aquilegia longissima, likely have exceptionally long tongues for nectar access.
Natural Selection in Beach Mouse
- Beach mice are found in a wide variety of habitats.
- Most of them live in pastures, open woodlands, and abandoned fields.
- These mice have dark brown coats on top, with white on their undersides.
- Beach mice that live on beaches with white sand have white bellies and sides, with light tan on their backs.
- This color pattern emerged within a few thousand years.
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