A biologist spent many years researching the rate of evolutionary change in the finch populations of a group of islands. It was determined that the average beak size (both length and mass) of finches in a certain population increased dramatically during an intense drought between 1981 and 1987. During the drought, there was a reduction in the number of plants producing thin-walled seeds. Which of the following procedures was most likely followed to determine the change in beak size?1. A few finches were trapped in 1981 and again in 1987, and their beak sizes were compared. 2. The beak size in fifteen finches was measured in 1987, and the beak size in the original finches was determined by estimation. 3. The beak size in a large number of finches was measured every year from 1981 to 1987.4. Finches were captured and bred in 1981, and the beak size of the offspring was measured.

Question

Biology

Avah Sanders

29 May, 23:47

A biologist spent many years researching the rate of evolutionary change in the finch populations of a group of islands. It was determined that the average beak size (both length and mass) of finches in a certain population increased dramatically during an intense drought between 1981 and 1987. During the drought, there was a reduction in the number of plants producing thin-walled seeds. Which of the following procedures was most likely followed to determine the change in beak size?1. A few finches were trapped in 1981 and again in 1987, and their beak sizes were compared. 2. The beak size in fifteen finches was measured in 1987, and the beak size in the original finches was determined by estimation. 3. The beak size in a large number of finches was measured every year from 1981 to 1987.4. Finches were captured and bred in 1981, and the beak size of the offspring was measured.

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Answers (1)

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Roger Richards · Answer 1

Answer: 4. The beak size in a large number of finches was measured every year from 1981 to 1987

Explanation:

The answer in a way, is in the first sentence of the question. The researcher spent many years researching the rate of evolutionary change. This would require a lot of long term examination of a large sample of finches, across many many generations. Evolutionary change takes time and successive generations for natural selection to select for the favoured character trait. Seeing as the researcher was studying not just the occurrence of evolutionary change but it's rate, it is imperative that the a lot of observation and data collection be carried out along a long period of time. This type of study is called a longitudinal study.