Question

Imagine you are studying leaf size in a large population of plants over several years. In one year of your stady there is a below-average amoust of rainfall, and the following year the average leaf size in the population is smaller than before. However, the amosint of variation in leaf size is the same and the population size doesn't change. Other seientists have done experiments showing that small leaves are better adapted to dry conditions than large leaves. What has most likely ocevirred?

A) genetic drift
B) directional selection
C) stabilizing selection
D) the founder effect
E) disniptive selection

Answer 1

The most likely scenario that has occurred in this study is directional selection, where the change in environmental conditions led to a shift in the favored traits.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely scenario that has occurred in this study is directional selection. Directional selection occurs when environmental conditions change, causing a shift in the favored traits. In this case, the below-average rainfall led to a selection for smaller leaves, as small leaves are better adapted to dry conditions. The fact that the variation in leaf size remained the same suggests that the population size didn't change and stabilizing selection or disruptive selection didn't occur. Genetic drift and the founder effect are not likely in this case, as they involve random processes and migration events, which are not mentioned in the question.

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