Why do giraffes have long necks natural selection?
It appears obvious: the giraffe’s neck, which can grow to as much as two metres in length, has been selected because it gives its owner exclusive access to the topmost leaves of the trees, and no other animal can reach them. This, then, is an adaptation designed to avoid competition for food with other animals.
How does a giraffe’s long neck help it survive?
Since these shorter creatures pick over food at a lower level, giraffes’ necks allow them to reach food and nutrients that others cannot. This becomes especially important for survival in habitats where food can become scarce and droughts are fairly common.
Why do giraffes with short neck we’re not able to survive based on Darwin’s idea of evolution?
The English naturalist Charles Darwin also thought the giraffe’s extraordinary legs and neck must have something to do with foraging. Instead he argued that the giraffe’s neck results from repeated “natural selection”. Long-necked giraffes were more likely to survive hard times than their short-necked rivals.
Is a giraffe an example of natural selection?
A classic example of natural selection at work is the origin of giraffes’ long necks. Over many generations this process produced giraffes as they are today. This process of natural selection was first described by Charles Darwin in 1859 in On the Origin of Species.
Why are giraffes tongues black?
The darker color is a result of the extra melanin that is present. It helps to prevent sun burns and can protect them. The end of their tongue tends to be black and may be more pink or purple near the top since that portion is not as exposed to the sun. The melanin act as a sort of natural sunscreen.
Why was Lamarck wrong about giraffes?
Lamarck’s theory suggested that the giraffe’s original short-necked ancestor repeatedly stretched its neck to reach the higher branches to eat. This resulted in the length of the giraffe’s neck increasing over time. It is now commonly accepted that Lamarck’s ideas were wrong.
Why is lamarckism wrong?
Lamarck’s Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics has been disproved. This was done in two major ways. The other way that Lamarck’s theory has been proven wrong is the study of genetics. Darwin knew that traits are passed on, but he never understood how they are passed on.
What did Lamarck say about giraffes?
In the case of a giraffe, Lamarck believed that giraffes once had short necks that got progressively longer as members of each subsequent generation stretched their necks as long as they could. In doing so, Lamarck believed that each generation would grow slightly longer necks and pass that trait onto their offspring.
Did Darwin agree with Lamarck?
Although Lamarck and Darwin agreed on the basic ideas about evolution, they disagreed about the specific mechanisms that allowed living things to change.
What is the difference between Lamarck’s and Darwin’s theory?
Darwin and Lamarck’s theories were very different. Darwin theory said that organisms get helpful variation before changes in the environment. Lamarck theory said that organisms got helpful variation after a change in the environment. He said that giraffes got long necks when the food on the ground ran out.
Why is Darwin’s theory better than Lamarck’s?
Darwin’s theory became accepted because it had more evidence that supported it. Lamarck’s theory suggest that all organisms become more complicated over time, and therefore doesn’t account for simple organisms, such as single-cell organisms.
Who started evolution?
Charles Darwin
What is Charles Darwins theory of evolution?
Darwin defined evolution as “descent with modification,” the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor. The mechanism that Darwin proposed for evolution is natural selection.
Who discovered evolution of man?
Eugene Dubois
Where is the missing link?
South Africa
Is Archaeopteryx a missing link?
Archaeopteryx is an iconic fossil, often thought of as the ‘missing-link’ between dinosaurs and birds. It was first described in 1861 by the German palaeontologist Hermann von Meyer (1801-1869).