Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

1. Introduction to Biology

Natural Selection and Evolution

General Biology

1. Introduction to Biology

Natural Selection and Evolution

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Multiple Choice

The divergence between the two populations of Rhagoletis must have occurred very rapidly because:

the populations were geographically isolated for millions of years

the introduction of a new host plant provided a strong selective pressure

genetic drift was the only evolutionary force acting on the populations

there was no gene flow between the populations due to physical barriers

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the context: Rhagoletis is a genus of fruit flies, and the problem involves understanding why divergence between two populations occurred rapidly. Divergence refers to the process by which two populations of the same species evolve into distinct species or subspecies.

Identify the key factors in the problem: The options provided include geographic isolation, selective pressure from a new host plant, genetic drift, and lack of gene flow due to physical barriers. Each of these factors can influence evolutionary processes differently.

Evaluate the role of selective pressure: The introduction of a new host plant can create strong selective pressure. This means that individuals better adapted to the new host plant would have a higher chance of survival and reproduction, leading to rapid changes in the population's genetic makeup.

Consider the role of geographic isolation and gene flow: While geographic isolation and lack of gene flow can contribute to divergence, they typically act over longer timescales. The problem specifies that the divergence occurred very rapidly, which suggests that these factors alone are insufficient to explain the rapid change.

Analyze the role of genetic drift: Genetic drift is a random process that can lead to changes in allele frequencies, but it is more significant in small populations and does not typically drive rapid divergence in response to environmental changes. Therefore, the most plausible explanation for rapid divergence is the strong selective pressure exerted by the introduction of a new host plant.