Which one or more of the following conditions is/are necessary for the evolution of increased nectar production in an insect-pollinated plant via natural selection?
Show Hint
- Increased nectar production in individual plants results in greater fruit set and number of offspring for these individuals
- The quantity of nectar produced by flowers varies across individuals in the population
- The quantity of nectar produced by a flower increases when more pollinators visit that same flower
- The quantity of nectar produced is heritable, i.e., passed on from parent to offspring
The Correct Option is A, B, D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify Key Factors for Natural Selection.
For natural selection to act on a trait, it must confer a fitness advantage, vary among individuals, and be heritable.
Step 2: Analyze Each Condition.
(A) If increased nectar production leads to greater fruit set and more offspring, it provides a reproductive advantage, a key component of natural selection.
(B) Variation in nectar production across individuals allows natural selection to favor those with optimal nectar production.
(D) Heritability of nectar production ensures that beneficial traits are passed to the next generation, allowing natural selection to act over successive generations.
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