Question

Based on your knowledge about Biology and this information, evaluate each statement as Likely or Unlikely to be true:a) Carbon dioxide is a direct source of energy in photosynthetic and chemosynthetic systems.b) Gene flow between worm populations found at one vent and another vent is evidence for these worms being the same biological species.c) Gene flow resulting from larvae dispersing between hydrothermal vents can act against local adaptation.d) Without chemoautotrophic organisms, the energy from the hydrothermal vents would be accessible to other organisms.

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide is part of capturing energy, but it is not the direct source. The direct source in photosynthetic systems, for example, is sunlight. Therefore, a) is UNLIKELY.

Gene flow only occurs between individuals from the same species, because it involves the transfer of alleles and individuals from different species wouldn't be able to do so. Therefore, b) is LIKELY.

Gene flow can act agains local adaptation because it brings new factors, which will again transform the circumstances in which the organismsm are trying to adapt. Therefore, c) is LIKELY.

Chemoautotrophic organisms acquire energy and this energy is accessible to other organisms by consuming the chemoautotrophic ones. So, if they weren't there, there would be no way for ther other organisms to access the energy. Therefore, d) is UNLIKELY