Explain how different tortoises developed on different islands with regards to evolution & natural selection.

On the island there is competition for lower lying grasses and no competition for higher bushes.Because of natural variation some tortoises have longer necks, which enables them to reach the higher bushes on island 2. Therefore, they have an advantageous mutation and they become stronger because they are better adapted and so are more likely able to reproduce effectively. Those offspring with the same mutation are at an advantage and so become bigger and stronger again. This adaptation, is advantageous and those with longer necks thrive. The adaptation is selected for. This happens until the being long-necked allele is selected for, and so it becomes a dominant allele.

WB
Answered by William B. Biology tutor

2905 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe how the structures involved in a reflex action help co-ordinate a reflex: (image with receptor, effector, spinal cord, synapse and neurones)


Explain how it is possible for two parents without blue eyes (a recessive trait) to have a child with blue eyes


Compare the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.


Compare anaerobic respiration in a yeast cell with anaerobic respiration in a muscle cell.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning