GENERAL BIOLOGY 2 STEM-127

Name: Jay Mark C. Hisona Date: February 28, 2024

Grade/Block: STEM-127

1. What can you say about the Galapagos Finches?

A group of closely related bird species located on the Pacific Ocean's Galapagos Islands are
called Darwin's Finches, or Galapagos Finches. They contributed significantly to the evolution of
Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection-based evolution. Darwin saw that different species of
finches on various islands had unique beak sizes and forms, and he surmised that these differences
were due to the unique food supplies on each island. Important evidence for the theory of adaptive
radiation—which holds that species diversified to occupy distinct ecological niches in response to
environmental factors—came from this variety among the finches.

2. Why were finches at Galapagos so important to evolution?

Due to their strong support of natural selection, the finches of the Galapagos Islands were
instrumental in the development of evolutionary theory. Darwin observed that variations in the diets
and eating habits of the finches were correlated with variations in their beak sizes and forms. This
implied that the finches had developed unique beak forms appropriate for the kinds of food found
on their individual islands. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was founded on the
observation that organisms could adapt to their environments over time through the differential
survival and reproduction of individuals with favorable features.

3. How do you relate the finches of Galapagos Island into a real-life situation?

The finches of the Galapagos Islands serve as a real-life example of adaptation and evolution
in response to environmental conditions. Just as the finches developed different beak shapes to
exploit various food sources on different islands, organisms in other environments may undergo
similar adaptations in response to challenges such as climate change, habitat loss, or competition
with other species. Studying the finches of the Galapagos provides insights into the mechanisms
of evolution and highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation in maintaining ecosystems'
resilience and adaptability to changing conditions.