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Ecologists theorize that the mutually dependent relationship between
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08 May 2021, 08:37
08 May 2021, 08:37
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Ecologists theorize that the mutually dependent relationship between pollinator animals and pollinating plants caused the dramatic increase in biodiversity believed to have occurred approximately 160 million years ago. While cross-pollination resulted in an overall diversification of both animal and plant species, it also triggered precise forms of evolution.
The incentives for animals seeking less competition from other pollinators converged with those of flowering plants seeking faithful pollinators to advance a form of adaptation that clearly differentiates a species from other members of its genus, a process known as evolutionary specialization. Specialization constrains an organism’s ability to utilize the full range of resources available in its habitat; these constraints vary from mild to extreme. One factor determining the extent of specialization is dispersal capacity, meaning the organism’s ability to move between habitats. Higher capacity eases implantation in new habitats, while lower capacity confines an organism to the current habitat. This confinement engenders heightened dependence on the resources available to the organism within its limited environment. The barrier to alternative resources created by confinement to one habitat becomes problematic when the species faces vigorous competition from other species. Differentiation allows for survival. Evolution in this sense is understood as the process by which organisms evolve not to compete but instead to avoid competition through exclusivity. Through specialization, species drastically decrease their niche breadth to enhance their chances of survival. While adaptations that further constrain access to resources appear disadvantageous, they in fact allow co-evolving species to thrive.
Pollinating animals and pollinator plants exhibit specialization in distinct ways, though they are inextricably linked in a coevolutionary process. Adaptation in flowering plants, motivated primarily to encourage the spread of their pollen grains, leads to the development of physical characteristics to attract specific pollinators. Through adaptations to a flower’s fragrance, hue, size and other characteristics, the plant becomes more adept at attracting an exclusive species of loyal pollinators in numbers and at moments most propitious to the plant species’ reproduction. Conversely, adaptations in pollinators create characteristics and behaviors that permit the collection of nutrient-rich nectar from specific plants in the most efficient manner; as subjects of the plants’ timing, animals develop the ability to maximize the feeding opportunities afforded to them.
The incentives for animals seeking less competition from other pollinators converged with those of flowering plants seeking faithful pollinators to advance a form of adaptation that clearly differentiates a species from other members of its genus, a process known as evolutionary specialization. Specialization constrains an organism’s ability to utilize the full range of resources available in its habitat; these constraints vary from mild to extreme. One factor determining the extent of specialization is dispersal capacity, meaning the organism’s ability to move between habitats. Higher capacity eases implantation in new habitats, while lower capacity confines an organism to the current habitat. This confinement engenders heightened dependence on the resources available to the organism within its limited environment. The barrier to alternative resources created by confinement to one habitat becomes problematic when the species faces vigorous competition from other species. Differentiation allows for survival. Evolution in this sense is understood as the process by which organisms evolve not to compete but instead to avoid competition through exclusivity. Through specialization, species drastically decrease their niche breadth to enhance their chances of survival. While adaptations that further constrain access to resources appear disadvantageous, they in fact allow co-evolving species to thrive.
Pollinating animals and pollinator plants exhibit specialization in distinct ways, though they are inextricably linked in a coevolutionary process. Adaptation in flowering plants, motivated primarily to encourage the spread of their pollen grains, leads to the development of physical characteristics to attract specific pollinators. Through adaptations to a flower’s fragrance, hue, size and other characteristics, the plant becomes more adept at attracting an exclusive species of loyal pollinators in numbers and at moments most propitious to the plant species’ reproduction. Conversely, adaptations in pollinators create characteristics and behaviors that permit the collection of nutrient-rich nectar from specific plants in the most efficient manner; as subjects of the plants’ timing, animals develop the ability to maximize the feeding opportunities afforded to them.
1. In the final paragraph of the passage, the author is primarily concerned with
A) identifying the mutual benefits to plants and pollinating animals of cross-pollination
B) providing examples of evolutionary specialization in plants and animals
C) detailing the biodiversification that occurred 160 million years ago
D) contrasting the development of adaptive and maladaptive traits
E) explaining how the co-evolutionary process creates particular adaptations
2. It can be inferred from the passage that, in pollinating plants that are highly specialized, the flowers
A) are more brightly colored than flowers of less specialized plants
B) vary in size based on the stage of the plant’s reproductive cycle
C) emit odors that trigger hunger in specific animals
D) have nectar that is more readily accessed by their co-evolved pollinators than by other pollinators
E) contain grains that easily detach upon contact with pollinators
3. According to the passage, which of the following is true of evolutionary specialization?
A) It occurs simultaneously in all species confined to the same habitat.
B) It is a counterintuitive survival strategy.
C) It is observed exclusively in species exposed to interspecific competition.
D) It relies on sexual selection to reproduce advantageous traits.
E) It is beneficial only when two organisms are concurrently developing complementary characteristics.
4. For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.
According to the passage, cross-pollination
A) caused highly specific forms of evolution to occur
B) inextricably linked all animal and plant life in a coevolutionary process
C) enabled pollinators to move more easily between habitats
Re: Ecologists theorize that the mutually dependent relationship between
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09 May 2021, 02:18
09 May 2021, 02:18
explaination plz
Ecologists theorize that the mutually dependent relationship between
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09 May 2021, 04:27
09 May 2021, 04:27
4
Hi!
The only problem with long passages is it a bit difficult to keep a track of and to concentrate for such a long time. But if you know what to look for and why are we reading the passage it becomes a bit easier to solve.
Similarly, the questions of this passage are not difficult until and unless you know what the passage is all about.
It took me around 6 mins to solve this one(I am working to the speed). All correct.
1. In the final paragraph of the passage, the author is primarily concerned with
Before moving to the options, I know that the final paragraph is talking about ,Pollinating animals and pollinator plants and that they are inextricably linked in a coevolutionary process because of their particular specialization.
A) identifying the mutual benefits to plants and pollinating animals of cross-pollination- OUT
B) providing examples of evolutionary specialization in plants and animals- OUT
C) detailingthe biodiversification that occurred 160 million years ago-OUT
D) contrasting the development of adaptive and maladaptive traits- OUT
E) explaining how the co-evolutionary process creates particular adaptations- Correct
2. It can be inferred from the passage that, in pollinating plants that are highly specialized, the flowers
An inference question has many trap answers
. Good to know that no where in the passage the author gives a detailed description of the flowers. So all such answer are OUT
A) are more brightly colored than flowers of less specialized plants--OUT
B) vary in size based on the stage of the plant’s reproductive cycle--OUT
C) emit odors that trigger hunger in specific animals--OUT of scope
D) have nectar that is more readily accessed by their co-evolved pollinators than by other pollinators- Correct, We can also find this mentioned in the last sentence of the last para.
E) contain grains that easily detach upon contact with pollinators---LoL- OUT, absolutely out of scope
3. According to the passage, which of the following is true of evolutionary specialization?
A) It occurs simultaneously in all species confined to the same habitat.--Bit extreme and Out of scope
B) It is a counterintuitive survival strategy.--Yes, the author does talk about this in paragraph 2
C) It is observed exclusively in species exposed to interspecific competition.-Out of scope
D) It relies on sexual selection to reproduce advantageous traits.-Not discussed- Out of scope
E) It is beneficial only when two organisms are concurrently developing complementary characteristics.- We don't know this- Out of scope
4. For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.
According to the passage, cross-pollination
A) caused highly specific forms of evolution to occur- the author says this in 1st para- While cross-pollination resulted in an overall diversification of both animal and plant species, it also triggered precise forms of evolution.
B) inextricably linked all animal and plant life in a coevolutionary process- OUT
C) enabled pollinators to move more easily between habitats- Pollinators with specialization can't- OUT
Hope this helps
Do let me know if the reasoning for the above answers is wrong!
The only problem with long passages is it a bit difficult to keep a track of and to concentrate for such a long time. But if you know what to look for and why are we reading the passage it becomes a bit easier to solve.
Similarly, the questions of this passage are not difficult until and unless you know what the passage is all about.
It took me around 6 mins to solve this one(I am working to the speed). All correct.
1. In the final paragraph of the passage, the author is primarily concerned with
Before moving to the options, I know that the final paragraph is talking about ,Pollinating animals and pollinator plants and that they are inextricably linked in a coevolutionary process because of their particular specialization.
A) identifying the mutual benefits to plants and pollinating animals of cross-pollination- OUT
B) providing examples of evolutionary specialization in plants and animals- OUT
C) detailingthe biodiversification that occurred 160 million years ago-OUT
D) contrasting the development of adaptive and maladaptive traits- OUT
E) explaining how the co-evolutionary process creates particular adaptations- Correct
2. It can be inferred from the passage that, in pollinating plants that are highly specialized, the flowers
An inference question has many trap answers
. Good to know that no where in the passage the author gives a detailed description of the flowers. So all such answer are OUTA) are more brightly colored than flowers of less specialized plants--OUT
B) vary in size based on the stage of the plant’s reproductive cycle--OUT
C) emit odors that trigger hunger in specific animals--OUT of scope
D) have nectar that is more readily accessed by their co-evolved pollinators than by other pollinators- Correct, We can also find this mentioned in the last sentence of the last para.
E) contain grains that easily detach upon contact with pollinators---LoL- OUT, absolutely out of scope
3. According to the passage, which of the following is true of evolutionary specialization?
A) It occurs simultaneously in all species confined to the same habitat.--Bit extreme and Out of scope
B) It is a counterintuitive survival strategy.--Yes, the author does talk about this in paragraph 2
C) It is observed exclusively in species exposed to interspecific competition.-Out of scope
D) It relies on sexual selection to reproduce advantageous traits.-Not discussed- Out of scope
E) It is beneficial only when two organisms are concurrently developing complementary characteristics.- We don't know this- Out of scope
4. For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.
According to the passage, cross-pollination
A) caused highly specific forms of evolution to occur- the author says this in 1st para- While cross-pollination resulted in an overall diversification of both animal and plant species, it also triggered precise forms of evolution.
B) inextricably linked all animal and plant life in a coevolutionary process- OUT
C) enabled pollinators to move more easily between habitats- Pollinators with specialization can't- OUT
Hope this helps
Do let me know if the reasoning for the above answers is wrong!
