Convergent, Divergent, and Coevolution

What is convergent evolution?

• Convergent evolution is the process by which different species independently evolve similar traits or characteristics due to similar environmental pressures, even though they do not share a common ancestor.

• Convergent evolution only happens between closely related species

• Convergent evolution occurs when species share a common ancestor

• Convergent evolution is the process by which species evolve in completely different directions

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Give an example of convergent evolution.

• Evolution of wings in birds and bats

• Evolution of fur in mammals and reptiles

• Evolution of scales in fish and birds

• Evolution of gills in fish and mammals

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Explain divergent evolution.

• Divergent evolution is the process by which two related species become more similar over time.

• Divergent evolution is the process by which two or more related species become more dissimilar over time.

• Divergent evolution is the process by which a single species evolves into two or more distinct species.

• Divergent evolution is the process by which two unrelated species become more similar over time.

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Provide a real-life example of divergent evolution.

• Cats and dogs

• Whales and dolphins

• Penguins and polar bears

• Finch species on the Galapagos Islands

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What is coevolution?

• Coevolution is the process of natural selection within a single species.

• Coevolution is the process of two species evolving independently of each other.

• Coevolution is the process of a species adapting to its environment.

• Coevolution is the process where two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution.

Describe a mutualistic coevolution example.

• Bees and their predators

• Trees and their parasites

• Birds and their prey

• Flowering plants and their pollinators

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How does convergent evolution differ from divergent evolution?

• Convergent evolution involves different species evolving dissimilar traits, while divergent evolution involves related species becoming more similar.

• Convergent evolution involves different species evolving similar traits, while divergent evolution involves related species becoming more dissimilar.

• Convergent evolution involves related species evolving similar traits, while divergent evolution involves different species becoming more dissimilar.

• Convergent evolution involves species evolving traits that are not related, while divergent evolution involves species evolving traits that are closely related.

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Why is understanding convergent, divergent, and coevolution important in biology?

• Convergent, divergent, and coevolution have no impact on evolution

• Understanding these concepts provides insights into the mechanisms of evolution and the relationships between species.

• Understanding these concepts is irrelevant in biology

• These concepts are only applicable in chemistry, not biology

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