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Modern spider monkeys live high up in trees - NSC Life Sciences - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 4
Modern spider monkeys live high up in trees. They have very long tails which they use to hold on to branches. This reduces their risk of falling to the ground where ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Modern spider monkeys live high up in trees - NSC Life Sciences - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Explain Lamarck's theory
Answer
Lamarck would argue that the long tails of modern spider monkeys are a result of his 'law of use and disuse.' The ancestors of spider monkeys had short tails but constantly stretched and used their tails to hold onto tree branches. Over time, this continuous use led to longer tails, as traits acquired during an individual's lifetime could be passed down to the next generation.
Step 2
Explain Darwin's theory
Answer
From Darwin's perspective, evolution occurs due to natural selection. In the ancestral population, there was variation where some spider monkeys had short tails while others had long tails. Those with short tails could not hold onto branches and either fell to the ground or were attacked by predators. Consequently, the spider monkeys that survived had long tails that enabled them to hold onto tree branches, avoid danger, and reproduce. This advantageous trait was then passed to their offspring.
Step 3
Discuss artificial selection
Answer
Humans can apply artificial selection by choosing spider monkeys with long tails for breeding. By mating them and encouraging the production of offspring with long tails, this process can be repeated over many generations, leading to a population that predominantly displays this trait.