Question

Predict what you think would happen to the proportion of nonfeathery seeds in the urban hawksbeard population over many generations. Explain your thinking.

a. The proportion of nonfeathery seeds will increase.
b. The proportion of nonfeathery seeds will decrease.
c. The proportion of nonfeathery seeds will remain constant.
d. Uncertain, as the outcome depends on additional factors.

Answer 1

The proportion of nonfeathery seeds in the urban hawksbeard population is likely to decrease over many generations as birds with larger, broader beaks will be better adapted to eat the larger seeds.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the proportion of nonfeathery seeds in the urban hawksbeard population is likely to decrease over many generations.

This is because birds with small, thin beaks will have a harder time eating the larger seeds, resulting in a higher mortality rate for birds with small beaks. On the other hand, birds with larger, broader beaks will be better adapted to eat the larger seeds and therefore have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.

As a result, over time, there will be a higher proportion of birds with larger, broader beaks in the population, leading to a decrease in the proportion of nonfeathery seeds.