Question on my last test

[strongboy2005]

My Biology professor handed back our tests, but he doesn't give us the right answers. I've gone through most of the test but one question is really getting me... It goes like this:

"Adaptation" refers to...
A. Modification of previously existing structures to new selection pressures
B. Allopatry
C. Neoteny
D. Changing an individual's physiology
E. Lineages of Organisms

I know it's not allopatry (speciation by geographic isolation), neoteny (childhood characteristics carried on into adulthood), or lineages of organisms... But between A and D I am completely stumped... Any insight on this?

[munkeyzrox28]

yeah...that is a toughy...i'm gonna have to go with A...it sounds the closest. hope that helps!

Sammi

[mith]

I'll have to agree, adaptation should refer to more than just 1 individual

[raju]

hi ,
the ans wer foir ur question is num one
eveloution is a process where in a organism is responding to the changes in its environment, & these r not changes in an individual,
when an organism is exposed to an environment different to its nor mal conditions it tedds to de form its protien sequence and also its DNA sequence due to which there r new forms of protiends been producet this leeds to a new induvidual & is completly dependent on nature
any further doubts i m aLWAYS THERE TO HELP U MY EMAIL ADRESS IS "sri18khan@yahoo.co.in"PLZ MAIL ME BACK IM RAJU
HOPE MY ANSWER SATISIFIES U ,

UR FRIEND
RAJU

[mith]

raju, you can just change your profile and refer members to click the button on the bottom of the post that says email. It's safer that way than posting it because spam bots get a hold of it easier if you're posting it.

[raju]

thank u dude

[victor]

Um, I remember that I've ever read one book and it says there're 3 types of adaptation which are morphology, physiology and behavioral. So, I think that D is also included into adaptation. What do you think?

[mith]

It doesn't sound like evolutionary adaptation though...

[MrMistery]

The correct answer is deffinetly A. What is wrong with D? Simple: adaptation beasically means 2 things:
1. The individual changes(as victor said: anatomically, physiologically and/or behaviourly)
2. These changes are carried on in order to have a better chance at reproduction in a certain environment

Think about what you understand by "Artemia salina is adapted to super-saline waters". You understand that it has developed certain structures in order to survive and reproduce in that environment.
That the definition from D is incomplete, and therefore wrong
OUT

[rambo]

Yes it is A think about Darwin finches. How the many changes an individual creature evolves to many other similar species that now have the evolved new enzymes. Ex. birds started eating seeds until the source was running out. Overtime the birds were modified to its environment eating new things such as insects and fruits.

[ZakaSPFC]

The answer is probably A.

[Ultrashogun]

D is also included in A, so A is the one that seems "more right".