Question

the woolly mammoth was a relative of modern elephants that lived in the cold, northern parts of the world less than five million years ago. mammoths in warmer parts of the world lacked the warm, shaggy fur the woolly mammoth developed. which of the following sentences best describes how natural selection resulted in the woolly mammoth?
a. mammoths with thicker fur were more successful at surviving and reproducing in cold climates.
b. mammoths stopped shedding. eventually, they lost the ability to shed fur.
c. cold climates triggered the growth of thick, warm fur on mammoths.
d. mammoths used their hair follicles to grow fur more often, resulting in stronger hair follicles.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the concept of natural selection. Natural selection favors traits that enhance survival and reproduction in a given environment. In cold climates, having thicker fur would help mammoths stay warm, increasing their chances of surviving and reproducing.

• Option A: Mammoths with thicker fur being more successful at surviving and reproducing in cold climates aligns with natural selection, as favorable traits (thicker fur) are selected for.
• Option B: Losing the ability to shed fur is not a typical or beneficial outcome of natural selection in this context.
• Option C: Cold climates don't "trigger" fur growth in a direct, intentional way; rather, natural selection acts on existing genetic variations.
• Option D: The description of hair follicles growing fur more often and resulting in stronger follicles is not a correct representation of how natural selection works on fur thickness in mammoths.

Answer:

A. Mammoths with thicker fur were more successful at surviving and reproducing in cold climates.