1. Introduction to Biology

Which of the following observations and inferences led Charles Darwin to his theory of natural selection as a mechanism for evolution?

What does it mean to say that a characteristic is heritable?a. The characteristic evolves.b. The characteristic can be passed on to offspring.c. The characteristic is advantageous to the organism.d. The characteristic does not vary in the population.

Could both the food competition hypothesis and the sexual competition hypothesis explain why giraffes have long necks? Why or why not?

What is 'selected' during natural selection? Explain your answer.

You read a blog that states, 'A squid's eye has been perfectly designed to see in the dark depths of the ocean.' Draft a paragraph that responds to the blog's use of the phrase 'perfect design' by citing an example discussed in this chapter.