A small flock of birds becomes stranded on an isolated island during a hurricane.Their population expands across the island,and over a period of several decades,the average beak size in the population becomes smaller,helping the birds eat the smaller seeds and insects found on the island.Which one of the following processes is best illustrated in this example?
A)Genetic drift
B)Extinction
C)Gene flow
D)Natural selection

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of natural selection, as the smaller beak size is an adaptation that confers a selective advantage in accessing the available food sources on the island. The other options are not applicable to the situation described - genetic drift refers to random fluctuations in gene frequencies, extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a species, and gene flow refers to the transfer of genetic material between populations via migration.

A Small Flock of Birds Becomes Stranded on an Isolated