Question

all of these are examples of random evolutionary processes except
a.
an earthquake divides a single elk species into two populations, forcing
them to no longer interbreed.

b.
a mutation in a flower plant results in a new variety.

c.
an especially long winter causes a group of migrating birds to shift their
home range.

d.
a mutation results in a population of trees that spread their seeds more
widely than their peers, causing their population to grow.

Explanation:

Random evolutionary processes (like genetic drift, mutation, or random environmental events) don’t involve selection for fitness. Option D describes a mutation that gives a fitness advantage (spreading seeds more widely, leading to population growth), which is natural selection (a non - random process as it favors traits that increase survival/reproduction). Options A (geographic isolation from an earthquake, a random event), B (random mutation), and C (random environmental change - long winter) are random evolutionary processes.

Answer:

D. a mutation results in a population of trees that spread their seeds more widely than their peers, causing their population to grow.