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Multiple Choice
How did the evolution of the jaw contribute to the diversification of early vertebrate lineages?
A
It allowed vertebrates to exploit a wider range of food sources, leading to adaptive radiation.
B
It provided protection against ultraviolet radiation, allowing survival in shallow waters.
C
It enabled vertebrates to breathe air directly, resulting in terrestrial colonization.
D
It increased the efficiency of internal fertilization, promoting reproductive success.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the context: The evolution of the jaw is a significant event in vertebrate history. Jaws first appeared in early fish and provided a major evolutionary advantage. Consider how this anatomical feature could impact feeding, survival, and diversification.
Analyze the options: The question provides four possible outcomes of jaw evolution. Evaluate each option based on biological principles and evidence from evolutionary biology.
Option 1: 'It allowed vertebrates to exploit a wider range of food sources, leading to adaptive radiation.' This is plausible because jaws enabled vertebrates to grasp, crush, and process a variety of food types, which could lead to the occupation of new ecological niches and diversification.
Option 2: 'It provided protection against ultraviolet radiation, allowing survival in shallow waters.' This is unlikely because jaws are not directly related to UV protection. Other adaptations, such as pigmentation or behavior, are more relevant for UV protection.
Option 3: 'It enabled vertebrates to breathe air directly, resulting in terrestrial colonization.' This is incorrect because the evolution of jaws is not directly linked to air-breathing. Air-breathing adaptations, such as lungs, evolved independently in some lineages.
Option 4: 'It increased the efficiency of internal fertilization, promoting reproductive success.' This is also unlikely because jaws are not directly involved in reproductive mechanisms. Internal fertilization is more related to reproductive anatomy and behavior.