Question

question 1 of 10
which best describes adaptive radiation?
a. biodiversity resulting from few ancestors
b. adaptations that organisms teach each other
c. a decrease in the rate of speciation
d. geographical isolation caused by an adaptation

Explanation:

Adaptive radiation is a process in which a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple new species, each adapted to different ecological niches. This leads to increased biodiversity from a few ancestors. Option B is incorrect as adaptations in adaptive radiation are due to natural selection, not organisms teaching each other. Option C is wrong because adaptive radiation increases speciation rate. Option D is incorrect as it doesn't accurately describe the core concept of adaptive radiation (which is about speciation from a common ancestor, not just geographical isolation due to adaptation).

Answer:

A. Biodiversity resulting from few ancestors