What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology
What is Life? A Guide to Biology with Physiology
3rd Edition
ISBN: 9781464157745
Author: Jay Phelan
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 8, Problem 1SA
Summary Introduction

To review:

The benefit of conducting research on evolution in a population of short-lived organisms such as fruit flies.

Introduction:

Evolution is a process that occurs over many generations.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Many generations have to go through selection (natural selection or artificial selection by scientists) for evolution to occur. If a particular trait gives an organism an advantage in survival, it will become common in the population. Organisms with a short lifespan are preferred for the study of evolution because such organisms reach maturity soon. Therefore, many generations of organisms can be included in the experiment. On the contrary, if an organism with a long lifespan were to be chosen for study, it would take years to perform the experiment.

Conclusion

As seen in the starvation experiment, the study of organisms with a short lifespan allows the researcher to include many generations in the experiment.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Kettlewell's experiment is included in most biology texts as an example of evolution How do we know that the moths evolved?
Systematics and Evolution Would natural selection work better on a large population or a small population? ( Consider the effects of genetic drift )
Explain the reasoning behind the statement “Evolution is not goal oriented.”
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
FOSSIL FRIDAY: Primate Evolution | Grades 7-10; Author: Museum of the Rockies;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tVLfvm3AFk;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY