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 evolutionary processes).
• Option C: Long winter shifting bird range (environmental event, random impact on evolution).
• Option D: Mutation leading to better seed spread and population growth – this is natural selection (non - random, as it's based on fitness advantage), while the others are random evolutionary processes (genetic drift, mutation, random environmental impacts). So D is the exception.

Answer:

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