Asked by Chasity Brogan on Jun 18, 2024

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Based on Kawecki's experiments on learning in fruit flies, would you expect fast learning to more readily evolve in populations characterized by high or low extrinsic mortality (assuming that it does provide an advantage)? Explain your reasoning.

Kawecki's Experiments

Research conducted by Tadeusz J. Kawecki that involves studying the effects of natural selection and adaptation in laboratory settings, often using Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) as a model organism.

Learning

A process that leads to a change in behavior or knowledge due to experience.

Extrinsic Mortality

The likelihood of death from external factors, such as predation or accidents, rather than aging or disease.

  • Acquire knowledge about how natural selection drives behavior evolution, emphasizing the importance of variation, heritability, and fitness consequences.
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Sarah NandkissoreJun 20, 2024
Final Answer :
Based on Kawecki's experiments on learning in fruit flies, we would expect fast learning to more readily evolve in populations characterized by high extrinsic mortality. This is because in high extrinsic mortality environments, there is a greater pressure for individuals to quickly learn and adapt to their surroundings in order to survive and reproduce. In contrast, in low extrinsic mortality environments, there may be less urgency for individuals to learn quickly, as there is less risk of dying from external factors. Therefore, fast learning would provide a greater advantage in high extrinsic mortality populations, leading to its more rapid evolution in these environments.