NEETZoologyEvolution
What is the relationship between the rate of appearance of new forms and the life cycle or life span of organisms?
Options
- ALonger life spans result in faster appearance of new forms
- BShorter life spans result in slower appearance of new forms
- CShorter life spans result in faster appearance of new forms
- DThe life cycle has no effect on the appearance of new forms
Correct answer
C. Shorter life spans result in faster appearance of new forms
Step-by-step solution
The essence of Darwinian theory about evolution is natural selection. The rate of appearance of new forms is linked to the life cycle or the life span . Microbes that divide fast have the ability to multiply and become millions of individuals within hours. A colony of bacteria (say A) growing on a given medium has built-in variation in terms of ability to utilise a feed component. A change in the medium composition would bring out only that part of the population (say B) that can survive under the new conditions. I