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A biologist researched the rate of evolutionary change in the finch populations on a group of islands. It was determined that the average beak size (both length and mass) of finches in a certain population increased dramatically during an intense drought between 1981 and 1987. During the drought, there was a reduction in the number of plants producing thin-walled seeds.

Which of the following procedures was most likely followed to determine the change in beak size?

1. A few finches were trapped in 1981 and again in 1987, and their beak sizes were compared.
2. The beak size in fifteen finches was measured in 1987, and the beak size in the original finches was determined by estimation.
3. The beak size in a large number of finches was measured every year from 1981 to 1987.
4. Finches were captured and bred in 1981, and the beak size of the offspring was measured.

Answer :

Final answer:

To determine the evolution of beak size in finches during a six-year drought, the biologist likely measured beak sizes in a large number of finches every year from 1981 to 1987, providing direct evidence of natural selection and evolutionary change.

Explanation:

The procedure most likely followed to determine the change in beak size of finches during an intense drought from 1981 to 1987 is procedure 3: The beak size in a large number of finches was measured every year from 1981 to 1987.

This would provide the most accurate, long-term data about changes in beak size. This constant monitoring of beak size in a substantial population of finches over the course of the years would give the most reliable evidence of any changes in beak size that took place during the drought.

By following evolutionary change over a considerable span of time, the biologist would be able to observe the natural selection in progress as finches with larger beaks, better equipped to deal with the scarcity of thin-walled seeds, would have had a survival advantage and passed their traits onto their offspring.

This is an example of how changes in the environment can lead to an evolutionary response in a population.

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Answer: 4. The beak size in a large number of finches was measured every year from 1981 to 1987

Explanation:

The answer in a way, is in the first sentence of the question. The researcher spent many years researching the rate of evolutionary change. This would require a lot of long term examination of a large sample of finches, across many many generations. Evolutionary change takes time and successive generations for natural selection to select for the favoured character trait. Seeing as the researcher was studying not just the occurrence of evolutionary change but it's rate, it is imperative that the a lot of observation and data collection be carried out along a long period of time. This type of study is called a longitudinal study.