Question

2 multiple choice 1 point what is the main difference between microevolution and macroevolution? a. both terms refer to change over time, but the term macroevolution is used more frequently now in scientific communities post darwin. b. microevolution refers to change in a few populations, whereas macroevolution refers to changes in populations across the globe. c. microevolution refers to small, observable changes over time within a population; and macroevolution extrapolates that data and applies it to larger, unobservable time scales. d. there is no difference. microevolution and macroevolution can be used interchangeably.

Explanation:

• Option A: The frequency of use in scientific communities post - Darwin is not the main difference between micro and macroevolution. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: The difference is not about the geographical scope of populations (local vs global). So B is incorrect.
• Option C: Microevolution is about small, observable changes within a population over time. Macroevolution takes the concepts from microevolution and applies them to larger, often unobservable (over very long time periods) scales, like the evolution of new species or higher taxonomic groups. This is the correct description of the main difference.
• Option D: Microevolution and macroevolution are not interchangeable as they deal with different scales of evolutionary change. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Microevolution refers to small, observable changes over time within a population; and macroevolution extrapolates that data and applies it to larger, unobservable time scales.