The Survival of the Fittest: A Study on Bison Adaptation
Why are there more fat, shaggy bison in Time 3 than in Time 1?
A. The snowy winter made the smaller, smooth bison grow longer fur. The next year, all the bison grew longer fur and got fat.
B. The small, smooth bison moved to a warmer place for winter. The next year, most of the bison were the fat and shaggy ones that didn't move away.
C. After the snowy winter, the smaller, smooth bison started to have shaggy offspring. The shaggy offspring do better in cold weather.
D. During the snowy winter, the fat, shaggy bison survived while most of the other bison died. The next year, the shaggy bison produced mostly shaggy offspring.
Answer: I believe the answer is D.
Explanation:
It would have been helpful if there had been more information included with this problem, but it would make sense that the answer is D. If there is a winter between time 1 and 3, bison that are not well-suited to the weather (skinny and smooth) will die off, and only the ones well-suited to winter weather will survive to produce offspring.
During the snowy winter, the fat, shaggy bison survived while most of the other bison died. The next year, the shaggy bison produced mostly shaggy offspring. So, option D.
Adaptation refers to the process through which organisms acquire heritable characteristics that aid in their survival and reproduction in a particular environment. In the case of bison, adaptation plays a crucial role in their ability to thrive in varying climatic conditions.
For example, bison have a summer coat that is lighter in weight and color compared to their shaggy, dark-brown winter coat. Male bison are larger and heavier than females, and different bison species may vary in size. When faced with extreme weather conditions, such as hot grasslands or heavy snow, bison rely on their physical characteristics for survival.
During snowy winters, the thick and shaggy coat of bison provides insulation and protection, allowing them to survive while other bison with thinner coats may perish. This survival advantage leads to the dominance of fat, shaggy bison in subsequent times as they produce offspring with similar adaptations.
As the environment changes, bison continuously adapt to ensure their survival. From shedding and growing new coats to utilizing their physical attributes for thermal regulation, bison exemplify the concept of adaptation in the natural world.
Understanding how bison adapt to their surroundings sheds light on the intricate balance between environmental pressures and evolutionary responses. By studying the mechanisms of adaptation in bison, researchers gain valuable insights into the resilience and survival strategies of wildlife species.