Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which evolutionary process best explains how two unrelated flower species could independently evolve to have a similar appearance?
A
Convergent evolution
B
Artificial selection
C
Genetic drift
D
Divergent evolution
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of convergent evolution: This is an evolutionary process where unrelated species independently evolve similar traits or appearances due to adapting to similar environmental pressures or ecological niches.
Compare convergent evolution with other options: Artificial selection involves human intervention in breeding, genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies, and divergent evolution describes species evolving different traits from a common ancestor.
Identify the key aspect of the problem: The question specifies that the two flower species are unrelated but have independently evolved similar appearances, which aligns with the definition of convergent evolution.
Eliminate incorrect options: Artificial selection does not apply because there is no mention of human involvement. Genetic drift is random and does not explain the similarity in appearance. Divergent evolution involves species becoming more different, not similar.
Conclude that convergent evolution is the best explanation for the observed phenomenon, as it directly addresses the independent evolution of similar traits in unrelated species.