Question

coral reefs are dying due to relatively recent changes to their habitats, including rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. what does this example most demonstrate about adaptation through natural selection?

a. most species will eventually fail to adapt to environmental changes and become extinct.
b. marine organisms are not as good at adapting to changes as terrestrial (land) organisms.
c. species adapt more slowly if the changes to their habitats are caused by humans actions.
d. species do not adapt just because environmental changes make it necessary for survival

Explanation:

• Option A: The statement "Most species will eventually fail to adapt to environmental changes and become extinct" is an over - generalization. Many species do adapt to environmental changes over time through natural selection.
• Option B: There is no basis in the given example (coral reefs dying) to compare the adaptability of marine and terrestrial organisms. The example only focuses on coral reefs (a marine organism) and their habitat changes.
• Option C: There is no indication in the problem that the rate of adaptation is slower because the habitat changes are caused by human actions. The problem just mentions habitat changes (rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification) without any reference to the cause - human or natural - affecting the rate of adaptation.
• Option D: Natural selection acts on existing genetic variation. Just because an environmental change occurs (like rising ocean temperatures and acidification for coral reefs) does not mean that a species can immediately adapt. Adaptation requires the presence of favorable genetic traits in the population. If those traits are not present, the species may not adapt, which is demonstrated by the coral reefs dying despite the environmental changes making adaptation necessary for their survival.

Answer:

D. Species do not adapt just because environmental changes make it necessary for survival