Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates how biology constrains learning in the context of natural selection and evolution?
A
A bird mimics the sound of a car alarm after hearing it repeatedly.
B
A rat learns to associate a specific taste with nausea but fails to associate a light with nausea, even after repeated pairings.
C
A dog learns to sit when given a treat as a reward.
D
A student improves their test scores after practicing multiple-choice questions.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of 'biology constraining learning' in the context of natural selection and evolution. This refers to the idea that an organism's ability to learn is influenced by its biological makeup, which has been shaped by evolutionary pressures. Certain types of learning are more likely to occur if they provide survival or reproductive advantages.
Step 2: Analyze the scenarios provided in the question. Each scenario represents a different type of learning. Consider whether the learning described aligns with evolutionary constraints or biological predispositions.
Step 3: Evaluate the scenario involving the rat. The rat learns to associate a specific taste with nausea but fails to associate a light with nausea. This illustrates biological constraints because taste aversion is an adaptive trait that helps animals avoid toxic substances, whereas associating light with nausea is not biologically relevant for survival.
Step 4: Compare the other scenarios. For example, a bird mimicking a car alarm or a dog learning to sit for a treat are examples of general learning, but they do not specifically illustrate biological constraints shaped by evolution. Similarly, a student improving test scores through practice is unrelated to evolutionary biology.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the scenario involving the rat, as it demonstrates how biology constrains learning by favoring associations that are evolutionarily advantageous, such as taste aversion, over associations that are less relevant to survival.