Chapter 3, Problem 1CYE

To determine

The factors that made natural selection relatively likely to occur in the Galapagos.

Answer to Problem 1CYE

The limited resources and environment led to the adaptations of different organisms via natural selection to inhabit the Galapagos.

Explanation of Solution

Galapagos is an island 1,000 km off the coast of South America. An island is an isolated piece of land. It has no human interventions and even natural disasters are rarer compared to the mainland. Moreover, the resources available on the islands are limited and only of certain types.

Thus, the organisms here have to adapt accordingly. Natural selection is the only evolutionary force that can cause adaptation. Thus, natural selection occurred on the Galapagos.

The different beaks in finches enunciate the same. Different food sources for the finches on the Galapagos include seeds, fruits, insects and more. Feeding on these varieties of foods requires different beaks. Thus, accordingly the finches adapted through natural selection.