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A plant species found in the area immediately around Sydney has also been found in a small area in the Gibraltar Range in the far north of NSW - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2004 - Paper 1
Question 18
A plant species found in the area immediately around Sydney has also been found in a small area in the Gibraltar Range in the far north of NSW. Predict what might h... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A plant species found in the area immediately around Sydney has also been found in a small area in the Gibraltar Range in the far north of NSW - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2004 - Paper 1
Step 1
Predict what might happen to the TWO populations over the next 5 million years, in terms of Darwin/Wallace’s theory of evolution.
Answer
Over the next 5 million years, the two populations of the plant species could diverge significantly due to geographical isolation. As they adapt to their respective environments in the Sydney region and the Gibraltar Range, natural selection may favor different traits in each population. This process could lead to speciation, where the populations become so different that they can no longer interbreed. Additionally, genetic drift may play a role, particularly in the smaller population in the Gibraltar Range, leading to random changes in traits over time. Overall, the two populations are likely to evolve distinct characteristics that reflect their specific habitats.
Step 2
Justify the use of vertebrate forelimbs as evidence to support the theory of evolution.
Answer
The study of vertebrate forelimbs provides critical evidence for the theory of evolution due to the concept of homologous structures. Despite the different functions of forelimbs in various species, such as wings in bats, flippers in whales, and arms in humans, the underlying skeletal structure is remarkably similar. This similarity indicates a common ancestry, suggesting that these diverse species evolved from a shared ancestor while adapting to their specific environments. Furthermore, variations in the forelimbs demonstrate how evolutionary processes, such as natural selection, can lead to morphological changes while maintaining fundamental structural traits.