Question

1. what will occur if a species is divided into two groups and allowed to reproduce in different environments for many generations?

random mutations, all of which will decrease fitness
divergence, potentially giving rise to two different species
natural selection, keeping both groups genetically static
divergence, but these will never be two different species

Explanation:

• Option 1: Mutations are random, but not all decrease fitness; some can be neutral or beneficial, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: When a species is split into two groups in different environments, over generations, natural selection and genetic drift cause divergence. This can lead to enough differences to form new species (speciation), so this is correct.
• Option 3: Natural selection acts on traits, and different environments would lead to different selection pressures, so groups won't stay genetically static. This is incorrect.
• Option 4: Divergence can lead to speciation over time, so saying they'll never be different species is wrong.

Answer:

B. divergence, potentially giving rise to two different species