Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

What is divergent evolution?

1. The creation of new species from a single parent species

2. The development of similar traits in different species

3. The adaptation of a species to its environment

4. The reduction of genetic variability within a species

The correct answer is: The creation of new species from a single parent species

Divergent evolution refers to the process through which two or more related species become increasingly different over time, often due to different environmental pressures or adaptations in separate habitats. This is most commonly seen when a single ancestral species gives rise to multiple species that adapt to varying conditions. As these species evolve, they accumulate differences in traits and behaviors, which leads them to become distinct from one another. The correct answer identifies this process correctly as the creation of new species from a single parent species, highlighting the role of a common ancestor. This concept is crucial in understanding how species adapt and evolve into different niches, thereby contributing to biodiversity. In order to fully grasp why others don’t fit, it’s important to note that while the adaptation to an environment is indeed an evolutionary process, it speaks more to the way a species adjusts rather than the formation of new species from a common ancestor. Similarly, the development of similar traits in different species refers to convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to facing similar environmental challenges rather than sharing a common ancestry. Lastly, the reduction of genetic variability within a species aligns more with concepts related to population genetics rather than with evolutionary divergence, which typically emphasizes the increase in diversity and differentiation among species.