Chapter 15, Problem 16A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Adaptation is an evolutionary process where a plant or an animal become suited to living in a particular habitat. These changes take place over many generations through natural selection. Morphological adaptation is a structural change that gives an organism a greater chance of survival in its habitat. These adaptations include body color, body covering, beak type and claw type. Industrial melanism is a phenomenon in which dark-colored peppered moth was selected over light-colored peppered moth as a result of natural selection.

Answer to Problem 16A

Correct answer Option (C)

Explanation of Solution

Explanation for correct answer:

Option (C) Physiological adaptation refers to the metabolic adjustment within the cell in response to an environmental stimulus of an organism resulting in the improved ability to cope up with the changing environment. In this case, more melanin is producing by the cells which results in a darker color of a moth. Hence, this option is correct.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option (A) Embryonic adaptations refer to those adaptations which are not permanents and occur only in embryo just to serve the functions. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option (B) Structural adaptations are the changes to the structure of a living organism to adapt better to an environment. Morphological adaptation is a structural change that gives an organism a greater chance of survival in its habitat. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Option (D) Mimicry: it is a type of adaptation in which one species evolves to resemble other species. This resemblance may be beneficial such as protection from predation upon one or both organisms by which the organism deceives the animate agent of natural selection. Hence, this option is incorrect.