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:

Random evolutionary processes are driven by chance events, not traits that improve fitness. Option D describes a mutation that gives a fitness advantage (wider seed spread leading to population growth), which is natural selection, a non-random process. The other options are chance events: geographic isolation (A), random mutation (B), and random environmental shift (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.