Complete the following paragraph to describe the mechanisms

Complete the following paragraph to describe the mechanisms of evolutionary change within the finch population on the Galapagos Islands. Within the population of finches on the Galapagos Islands, _____ exists within beak size. During wet years, small tender seeds flourish and ____ beaks have a selective advantage. During dry years, large dry seeds flourish and____ beaks have a selective advantage. If the percentage of the beak sizes within the finch population was plotted, one would find that during wet years, the percentage of finches with ___ beaks increases and during dry years, the percentage of finches with ___ beaks increases. In this manner, ____ is driving _____ of beak sizes within a finch population. natural selection artificial selection small evolution reproduction variation large

Solution

Within the population of finches on the Galapogas islands variation exists within beak size.

During wet years small tender seeds flourish and small beaks have a selection advantage.

During dry years, large tender seeds flourish and large beaks have a selection advantage.

If the percentage of the beak sizes within the finch population was plotted one would find that during wet years, the percentage of finches with small beaks increases and during dry years, the percentage of finches with large beaks increases.

In this manner, reproduction is driving natural selection of beak sizes within a finch population.