Question

A male tree frog migrates to a new habitat with little ground vegetation and many tall trees. Jumping is the safest way for the frog to move from tree to tree. Because of the long distance between trees, the frog spreads its fingers and toes like a parachute to soften its landing. Over time, the webbing between the frog's fingers and toes stretches and expands to act more efficiently. The frog eventually mates with a female of the same species. Based on this information, which claim can be made? All the offspring will have expanded webbing. Some of the offspring will have expanded webbing. All the offspring will have normal webbing. The male offspring will have expanded webbing.

Answer 1

Inheritance of traits in frogs is due to genetics, not acquired characteristics. Thus, all offspring of the male tree frog would have normal webbing, and only through individual adaptation and environmental pressures might they develop expanded webbing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described involves a male tree frog that has adapted to a new habitat by developing expanded webbing between its fingers and toes to help it move from tree to tree and soften its landings. However, the inheritance of these traits depends on genetic factors. Since the expanded webbing is an acquired characteristic due to the frog's individual adaptation to its environment, it is not directly passed on to its offspring through genetic inheritance.

Frog traits are determined by their genes, and while the frog's webbing changed due to physical demands and adaptation over its lifetime, it does not alter the frog's genetic code. Therefore, any changes in webbing size in the offspring would occur through the same or similar environmental pressures and individual adaptations, rather than being inherited as a fully-formed trait from the parent.

In conclusion, if the offspring encounter similar conditions and respond in the same way, some may develop expanded webbing over time, but it cannot be claimed that all the offspring will have expanded webbing due to the male frog's adaptations. Since the question is based on evolutionary biology concepts, particularly Lamarckian versus Darwinian evolutionary theories, the correct claim that can be made based on the provided information is that all the offspring will have normal webbing.