Over long periods of time, many cave - dwelling organisms have lost their eyes. Tapeworms have lost their digestive systems. Whales have lost their hind limbs. How can natural selection account for these losses?
A) The ancestors of these organisms experienced harmful mutations that forced them to lose these structures.
B) Natural selection accounts for these losses by the principle of use and disuse.
C) Natural selection cannot account for losses, but can only account for new structures and functions.
D) Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, natural selection reduced each of these structures because they presented greater costs than benefits.

Question

Over long periods of time, many cave - dwelling organisms have lost their eyes. Tapeworms have lost their digestive systems. Whales have lost their hind limbs. How can natural selection account for these losses?
A) The ancestors of these organisms experienced harmful mutations that forced them to lose these structures.
B) Natural selection accounts for these losses by the principle of use and disuse.
C) Natural selection cannot account for losses, but can only account for new structures and functions.
D) Under particular circumstances that persisted for long periods, natural selection reduced each of these structures because they presented greater costs than benefits.

Accepted Answer

***D*** ∻Key Concept∻ ⚹Natural selection and loss of structures⚹ ∻Explanation∻ ⚹Over time, if a structure is not beneficial for an organism's survival and reproduction, or if it incurs a cost, natural selection may favor individuals that have reduced or lost that structure. This can lead to the eventual loss of the structure in the population.⚹◊How does natural selection influence the loss of complex structures in organisms over time?⍭ Generate me a similar question◊

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