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:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Earthquake dividing elk populations (geographic isolation, random event affecting evolution).
• Option B: Mutation in a flower (mutations are random, leading to new variety).
• Option C: Long winter shifting bird range (climate event, random factor influencing evolution).
• Option D: Mutation leading to wider seed spread and population growth—this describes natural selection (advantageous trait, non - random as it's based on fitness, unlike the random processes in A - C).

Answer:

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