Multiple Choice
Why have many animals developed horns and antlers?
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21. Evolution
Introduction to Evolution and Natural Selection
Multiple Choice
Why can we still recognize the subjects of cave paintings thousands of years later?
A
Because evolution causes rapid and constant changes in animal appearance over short periods.
B
Because cave paintings were made using magical pigments that preserve the original forms.
C
Because the basic body plans of many animals have remained relatively unchanged due to stabilizing selection.
D
Because humans have genetically engineered animals to look like their ancient ancestors.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the question: The problem is asking why we can still recognize animals depicted in ancient cave paintings, despite the passage of thousands of years.
Review the concept of stabilizing selection: Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors the average phenotype in a population, reducing variation and maintaining the status quo of traits over time. This helps preserve the basic body plans of many animals.
Eliminate incorrect options: Evolution does not cause rapid and constant changes in animal appearance over short periods; such changes typically occur over much longer timescales unless driven by strong selective pressures. Additionally, magical pigments and genetic engineering are not scientifically valid explanations.
Focus on the correct explanation: The basic body plans of many animals have remained relatively unchanged due to stabilizing selection, which maintains traits that are well-suited to their environments over long periods.
Conclude: The reason we can recognize animals in cave paintings is that stabilizing selection has preserved their fundamental body structures, making them appear similar to their ancient counterparts.
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