Question

multiple choice 10 points
darwins observations on the galápagos islands were crucial because:
they showed that all species are fixed and unchanging.
they disproved the idea of evolution.
they provided evidence that species vary according to their environment.
they demonstrated that evolution occurs at a constant rate.
2
multiple choice 10 points
which of the following best describes natural selection?
the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
random mutations that occur in a population.
the inheritance of acquired traits.
a sudden change in a species characteristics.

Explanation:

1. Question 1: Darwin's observations on the Galápagos Islands were crucial because they showed that species vary according to their environment. The Galápagos finches, for example, had different beak shapes adapted to their food sources (e.g., different types of seeds). This variation was evidence against the idea that all species are fixed and unchanging.
2. Question 2: Natural selection is the process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. This is the core mechanism of evolution as proposed by Darwin. Random mutations provide the genetic variation, but it is natural selection that acts on this variation, favoring traits that increase an organism's fitness (ability to survive and reproduce) in a given environment.

Answer:

1. They provided evidence that species vary according to their environment.
2. The process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.