Question

chapter 12: mechanisms of evolution: battling resistance
page(s) 231-233 12.3. explain how natural selection brings about increased reproductive success of a population in its environment.
place the following events in the order they must occur for natural selection to lead to evolution.
start by choosing the first item in the sequence and clicking, dragging, or using your keyboard to select it.
some individuals in a shrub population possess thorns near their leaves and others do not.
over time, shrubs without thorns are more frequently eaten by rabbits.
most shrubs in the resulting population now possess thorns.

Explanation:

1. First, genetic variation exists in the population (some shrubs have thorns, others don't).
2. Then, differential survival occurs: thornless shrubs are eaten more by rabbits (selection pressure).
3. Finally, over time, the population evolves as more shrubs with thorns survive and reproduce, leading to most shrubs having thorns.

Answer:

1. Some individuals in a shrub population possess thorns near their leaves and others do not.
2. Over time, shrubs without thorns are more frequently eaten by rabbits.
3. Most shrubs in the resulting population now possess thorns.