People use the word “adaptation” in many ways.

People use the word “adaptation” in many ways. In biology, an adaptation is a trait that allows an organism to survive and reproduce. In this situation, the individual sheep is not able to change its teeth to better survive; the sheep with better teeth is more likely to survive and reproduce. As a result, over many generations, the sheep population has better teeth than the starting population had. Give another example of a trait that does not change for an individual, but can change for a population over many generations. Question 11: Examine each of your data tables_ In your first table, is the teeth average the same for each of the four trials? Why do you think this is? In your second table, is the teeth average the same for each f the four trials? Why do you think this is? (1 point) Question 12: In this simulation, we focused on food. Name at least two other natural resources that could realistically limit the sheep population: Question 13: List the 5 major conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in any population: Beside each condition, tell me whether or not this condition is met in your experiment: Justify each answer: Question 14: Which scenario, Selection? ON or Selection? OFF meets the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? Explain: Qualitatively, did the sheep population exhibit Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or can you deduce that evolution occurred in the sheep population?
Question 10: People use the word “adaptation” in many ways. In biology, an adaptation is a trait that allows an organism to survive and reproduce. In this situation, the individual sheep is not able to change its teeth to better survive; the sheep with better teeth is more likely to survive and reproduce. As a result, over many generations, the sheep population has better teeth than the starting population had. Give another example of a trait that does not change for an individual, but can change for a population over many generations. Question 11: Examine each of your data tables_ In your first table, is the teeth average the same for each of the four trials? Why do you think this is? In your second table, is the teeth average the same for each f the four trials? Why do you think this is? (1 point) Question 12: In this simulation, we focused on food. Name at least two other natural resources that could realistically limit the sheep population: Question 13: List the 5 major conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in any population: Beside each condition, tell me whether or not this condition is met in your experiment: Justify each answer: Question 14: Which scenario, Selection? ON or Selection? OFF meets the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? Explain: Qualitatively, did the sheep population exhibit Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or can you deduce that evolution occurred in the sheep population?

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

Question 10 Answer:
Another example of a trait that does not change for an individual, but can change for a population over generations, is fur thickness in animals living in cold climates. An individual animal cannot grow thicker fur in response to a single cold season, but animals with naturally thicker fur are more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, the population will contain more individuals with this trait, leading to a general increase in fur thickness.

Question 11 Answer:
In the first table, the average tooth length stays the same for each of the four trials because selection is turned off. Without selection, there is no survival advantage based on tooth size. Therefore, random mating and reproduction preserve the original trait distribution.
In the second table, the average tooth length changes across the trials because selection is turned on. Sheep with longer teeth are more successful at surviving and reproducing, so over generations, the average tooth size increases due to natural selection.

Question 12 Answer:
Two other natural resources that could realistically limit the sheep population include:

1. Water — without enough water, sheep may become dehydrated and fail to survive or reproduce.
2. Space — limited living space can lead to overcrowding, disease spread, and competition for shelter, reducing population growth.

Question 13 Answer:
The five conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are:

1. No natural selection — Not met, because selection was active in one scenario.
2. No mutation — Assumed met, since the simulation does not model mutations.
3. Large population size — Possibly not met, as small populations can be more affected by genetic drift.
4. No migration — Met, since the simulation keeps the population closed.
5. Random mating — Met in selection-off, but not fully met in selection-on, where survival affects mating success.

Question 14 Answer:
The scenario with Selection OFF meets the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This is because there is no selective pressure, and traits are passed on randomly. In contrast, with Selection ON, evolution occurs as certain traits (like longer teeth) provide survival advantages. Over time, this changes the population’s genetic makeup, indicating that evolution has taken place.