Question 44
A study was conducted on the seed-eating finch population on the Galápagos Islands. It was observed that when rain was plentiful, the plants produced many small, soft seeds. During periods of drought, only a few small, soft seeds were produced. These were usually eaten by other animals before the finches could get to them. The seeds that remained were large, dry and hard.
Complete the sentences to explain the changes in the finch population in terms of natural selection.
The seeds produced in the wet season were ___ and ___. These seeds were easier for finches with ___ beaks to pick up and eat, so more of them survived.
There were ___ seeds for the finches during the drought period. The finches with ___ beaks were able to eat the ___ and ___ seeds, so more of them survived.
Complete the sentences to explain the changes in the finch population in terms of natural selection.
The seeds produced in the wet season were ___ and ___. These seeds were easier for finches with ___ beaks to pick up and eat, so more of them survived.
There were ___ seeds for the finches during the drought period. The finches with ___ beaks were able to eat the ___ and ___ seeds, so more of them survived.
