Read the selections from sections three and four of Dawkins and answer the following in 900 words minimum.
With these two readings, I hope it is becoming clear how to answer “why questions” about plants and animals. For example, if I were asked why trees generally have broad branch structures, I would respond: Trees may have begun with tight branch structures, but by random chance, in one tree and then its offspring appeared a gene which altered the developmental process in such a way as to generate a slightly broader branch structure. This new structure caught more light than the tighter branch structure of the other trees and so these new trees were more successful in the competition for light. More successful trees were healthier and thus capable of reproducing more, so the broader-structure trees gradually overran the tighter-structure trees in population. This process repeated itself until additional broadening was counterproductive, or more expensive in cost than productive in benefit.
Answer one of the questions below using a similar line of reasoning.
9. a. Why can cheetahs run fast?
b. Why can rabbits run fast?
c. Why do gazelles drink water when dehydrated?
d. Why do male sea lions seek female sea lions for mating?
It is difficult to overestimate this explanatory power of Darwinian evolution. Once you learn and really understand it, you may be amazed how you can walk around and use it to explain almost everything about every plant and animal you see, even one particular species of mammal you interact with quite frequently.