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n your project.
The creosote bush is thought to be the most drought-tolerant plant in North America. It
has a variety of adaptations to its desert environment, including its reproductive tendency
to clone outward in rings rather than rely solely on seed production. The plant's leaves
are coated in a foul-tasting resin that protects it from water loss through evaporation
and from grazing. It only opens its stomata in the morning to pull in carbon dioxide
for photosynthesis from the more humid air and closes them as the day's temperature
increases. It also has a root system that consists of both an exceptionally long tap root
and a vast network of shallow feeder roots. Creosote bushes exhibit two different shapes
to fit different microclimates. In drier areas, the plant has a cone shape in which stems
funnel rainwater into the taproot. In wetter areas, the bush has a more rounded shape that
provides shade to its shallow feeder roots.
PREDICT How do species change over time to adjust to varying conditions?
DRIVING QUESTIONS
As you move through the unit, gather evidence to help you answer the following
questions. In your Evidence Notebook, record what you already know about these topics
and any questions you have about them.
1. How can we learn about life on early Earth?
2. How can we trace the lines of descent between species?
3. What are the mechanisms of natural selection, and how do they lead to changes in
species over time?
UNIT PROJECT
Investigating the Evolution of Eyes
Eyes are complex organs. Simple eyes let organisms sense light while complex eyes, such
as those in humans, let organisms see images. Explore how small changes over time
can lead to the development of unique features, such as eyes. How can you explain the
evolution of eyes?

Answer 1

Species change over time through natural selection to adapt to different conditions in their environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Evolution of Species

Species change over time to adjust to varying conditions through the process of natural selection. When environmental conditions change, individuals with traits that are advantageous in the new conditions have a better chance of survival and reproduction. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, leading to the evolution of the species.

For example, in the case of the creosote bush, the plant has evolved a variety of adaptations to survive in the desert environment. Its ability to clone outward in rings rather than relying solely on seed production allows it to spread and survive in dry conditions. The leaves are coated in a resin that protects against water loss and grazing. The timing of stomata opening and closing helps minimize water loss. The root system, with a long taproot and shallow feeder roots, allows the plant to access water from different depths.

Learn more about Evolution of species