An oak tree produces two kinds of leaves: large with shallow lobes and narrow with deep lobes. If this dimorphism is based solely on the ecological condition of amount of Sunlight exposure and no genetic difference exists between leaves that express either of the two forms, then a. the environment cannot affect the relative abundance of the two leaf forms. b. this must be a trait that expresses quantitative variation. c. natural selection cannot act on the trait of leaf morphology. d. natural selection cannot preferentially select one of the two leaf forms over the other. e. the large, shallow-lobed leaves must be adapted for Sunnier conditions.

Question

Melina Quinn

Biology

11 December, 00:45

An oak tree produces two kinds of leaves: large with shallow lobes and narrow with deep lobes. If this dimorphism is based solely on the ecological condition of amount of Sunlight exposure and no genetic difference exists between leaves that express either of the two forms, then a. the environment cannot affect the relative abundance of the two leaf forms. b. this must be a trait that expresses quantitative variation. c. natural selection cannot act on the trait of leaf morphology. d. natural selection cannot preferentially select one of the two leaf forms over the other. e. the large, shallow-lobed leaves must be adapted for Sunnier conditions.

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Haley Moran · Answer 1

Option C

Explanation:

Natural selection looks into the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype that can be passed on. In the case of the oak tree, it produces two kinds of leaves: large with shallow lobes and narrow with deep lobes.

But this dimorphism is based solely on the ecological condition of amount of Sunlight exposure and not the genotype as there is no genetic difference between leaves that express either of the two forms. Thus, since the genetic composition of the leaf morphology is the same and with no difference, natural selection will not be able to act on the trait of leaf morphology