An organisms color can serve an adaptive function in numerous ecologi

Question

An organism’s color can serve an  adaptive function  in numerous ecological contexts, including crypsis (the ability to avoid detection), communication, and thermoregulation. As such, it is likely that organismal color reflects a balance among numerous and perhaps competing demands; a color best suited for the performance of one function (e.g., avoidance of predators) may reflect a trade-off with that suited for another (e.g., attractiveness to potential mates). This trade-off is further shaped by the wavelengths of light available in the organism’s natural environment; a color pattern that is cryptic in one environment may be conspicuous in another. In other words, the relative strength of the color signal depends on not only the visual system of the receiver but also the medium and surrounding environment in which it is transmitted. In fact, a new explanation of color evolution using this concept has been  hailed  by researchers as a useful way to tie what were competing theories together.    1 
 1. In the context in which it appears, “hailed” ( Highlighted ) most nearly means

A. signaled
B. invoked
C. lauded
D. spoken
E. conflated

2  
 2. The passage implies which of the following regarding the evolution of an organism’s coloring?

Indicate all that apply.

A. An organism with conspicuous markings will be unlikely to survive long enough to pass its genes to later generations.
B. A species with conspicuous markings evolved those markings because they helped its members reproduce.
C. Organisms with cryptic markings exist because previous generations with such markings were able to avoid predators better than those without cryptic markings.

3  
 3. The author of the passage most likely discusses an organism’s “adaptive function” ( Highlighted ) in order to

A. suggest that organisms use color change as a way to meet various biological needs
B. provide reasoning for the assertion that an organism’s coloring can make its survival more difficult
C. offer an explanation for the phenomenon that some organisms have no natural predators
D. suggest that organisms that have learned to adapt to their surroundings have a greater chance of survival than those that are less adaptable
E. provide support for the theory that less conspicuous organisms are more attractive to potential mates

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. In the context in which it appears, “hailed” (     Highlighted     ) most nearly means

If the researchers are calling the explanation a  “useful way to tie”  things together, it makes sense that  “hailed”  means lauded (praised) in this context. 
 
  Answer: C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The passage implies which of the following regarding the evolution of an organism’s coloring?  
 
Like any trait that current organisms possess, conspicuous markings must exist because organisms with them are the offspring of previous generations that survived long enough to reproduce. By saying that there is a  “trade off”  in terms of color function, the author implies that any trait would not exist unless it had a corresponding benefit to the organism’s survival, and therefore, its reproduction. He also implies that conspicuous markings may be detrimental to an organism, contrasting them with cryptic (camouflaging) markings, giving further evidence that being conspicuous must help an organism breed,  (B). Choice (C)  is also supported by this reasoning. 
 
  Answer: B,C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. The author of the passage most likely discusses an organism’s “adaptive function” (     Highlighted     ) in order to

By saying that an organism’s color is an  “adaptive function,”  the author implies that its color can help the organism in different ways at different times, which supports the assertion that these demands may be  “competing,”  i.e., a color that helps with one demand may be unhelpful for another. 
 
  Answer: B

An organisms color can serve an adaptive function in numerous ecologi

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