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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: biologyyv on 10/05/2008 19:06:17

Title: Evolution Biology Help!
Post by: biologyyv on 10/05/2008 19:06:17

I have an exam on Monday and need a good answer to the following question.. University standard please?

You have found a species of moluscs that vary morphologically within its' population and between its population. Nothing is known about the biochemistry or DNA variations. Design a set of experiments to determine the relative importance of natural selection and genetic drift in influencing variations.

Thanx for any help.

Title: Evolution Biology Help!
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 10/05/2008 19:37:26

Ever tried researching rather than asking for answers?

Title: Evolution Biology Help!
Post by: biologyyv on 10/05/2008 20:55:54

I have tried to research,all I can come up with is moving some molluscs to a different location within a different population and if the survive it's due to genetic drift and if not then due to natural selection. And as a control to move some moluscs to another location within its population and see what happens here.

I'm not being lazy I'm just asking for help as I simply don't know!

Title: Evolution Biology Help!
Post by: JimBob on 11/05/2008 15:08:11

Then ask yourself what the important factors are to the mollusks. Food source? Ability to move water through their feeding system, turbidity of the water (assuming they are marine or lacustrine or fluvial), energy level of their environment, etc. Also, take into account the need for multiple working hypotheses. You need to design a series of experiments, not just one. Go from there - if your going to be a scientist you must know how to design experiments on your own.