A biologist, studying evolutionary patterns, suggested that while a species might exhibit apparent ______ in its morphology over short periods, underlying genetic changes are constantly occurring, eventually leading to significant diversification.
- Amutation
- Bflux
- Cdivergence
- Dstasis
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. stasis
The sentence presents a contrast: 'apparent ______ in its morphology over short periods' versus 'underlying genetic changes are constantly occurring, eventually leading to significant diversification.' The 'apparent' nature suggests that what seems to be true on the surface is not the full picture. If genetic changes are constant and lead to diversification, then the apparent state must be one of little or no change. 'Stasis' means a period or state of inactivity or equilibrium.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Mutation' refers to the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form, which is an underlying genetic change, not an apparent morphological state.
- B. 'Flux' means the action or process of flowing or flowing out; constant change, which contradicts 'apparent' and the contrast with underlying change.
- C. 'Divergence' means the process or state of diverging, which is the eventual outcome (diversification), not the apparent short-term state.
Apparent Stability vs. Underlying Change
A concept where the superficial observation of a system suggests stability or lack of change, while deeper, often microscopic or long-term, processes are actively driving change.
- Keywords include 'apparent,' 'while...underlying,' 'over short periods...constantly occurring.'
- The blank describes the perceived, often misleading, state of stability.
- The contrast reveals the true, dynamic nature of the system.
Memory trick: What you see is not all that's there, beneath the calm, changes prepare.