Question

1. there are two types of rabbits: those that strictly eat grass and those that strictly eat berries and flowers. a drought occurs one year, and the plants have difficulty producing any extras (flowers, berries, etc.). they can only try and keep themselves green. rabbits have had babies all year long but many are eaten by foxes or hawks. due to the drought, many have starved to death.

a. what rabbit will natural selection select against? ____________ for? ____________
darwins 5 points: identify the 5 points in the scenario above.
population has variations. ______________
some variations are favorable. ______________
more offspring are produced than survive.______________
those that survive have favorable traits. ______________
a population will change over time. ______________

Explanation:

• a. Natural Selection:
• Natural selection selects against the rabbits that strictly eat berries and flowers. Since there is a drought and plants can't produce extras (berries, flowers), these rabbits will starve.
• Natural selection selects for the rabbits that strictly eat grass. As plants can still keep themselves green (grass - like part), these rabbits have a food source.
• Darwin's 5 points:
• Population has variations: There are two types of rabbits - those that eat grass and those that eat berries/flowers.
• Some variations are favorable: Eating grass is a favorable variation during the drought as grass - like plant parts are available.
• More offspring are produced than survive: Rabbits have had babies all year long but many are eaten by foxes/hawks and many starve (due to drought).
• Those that survive have favorable traits: The surviving rabbits (assuming they are the grass - eating ones) have the favorable trait (ability to eat grass).
• A population will change over time: Over time, if the drought persists, the proportion of grass - eating rabbits in the population will increase as berry/flower - eating rabbits die out.

Answer:

• a.
• Against: Rabbits that strictly eat berries and flowers.
• For: Rabbits that strictly eat grass.
• Darwin's 5 points:
• Population has variations: Two types of rabbits (grass - eaters and berry/flower - eaters).
• Some variations are favorable: Grass - eating ability is favorable during drought.
• More offspring are produced than survive: Many rabbit babies die (eaten or starved).
• Those that survive have favorable traits: Surviving rabbits (likely grass - eaters) have favorable trait.
• A population will change over time: Grass - eating rabbit proportion increases over time (if drought continues).