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 are driven by chance events, not traits that give a survival/reproductive advantage.

• Option A: Earthquake splitting populations is a random geographic barrier (genetic drift via allopatry, random).
• Option B: Mutation is a random genetic change.
• Option C: A long winter shifting range is a random environmental event.
• Option D: The mutation leads to better seed dispersal, which increases the population because the trait provides a fitness benefit. This is natural selection, a non-random evolutionary process as it favors advantageous traits.

Answer:

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