Sorry Ms Sue I forgot to separate them

A species of flowering plant produces vibrant blue flowers. The flowers attract both pollinators that spread the plant's pollen and herbivores that feed on the plant. An adaptation occurred through several generations of plant species, and the plant is now known for its long, sharp thorns. Why might this adaptation have occurred?

to absorb more water and nutrients
to attract more pollinators
to discourage herbivores
to provide shade for the plant

A population of snails on an island is disrupt during a violent storm. Portions of the population are carried by the storm surge to two new islands, while a portion remains on the original island, creating three separate populations. Conditions on one of the new islands are exactly like conditions on the original island. However, snails that landed on the second new island encounter a varacious new predator. What is likely to happen to these three populations?

Speciation will occur at the same rate in all three snail populations
Speciation will occur at the same rate in the snails that landed on new islands but not in the original snail population.
Speciation will rapidly occur in one of the snail populations that landed on new islands but not in the other two snail population**
Speciation will occur in the original snail population but will not occur in the populations that landed on new islands

No numbers.

No letters.
No answers.

To answer the first question, "Why might this adaptation have occurred?" we need to consider the options given:

1. to absorb more water and nutrients: This is unlikely to be the reason for the adaptation to sharp thorns. Thorns are not directly related to water and nutrient absorption.

2. to attract more pollinators: This is also unlikely, as sharp thorns would not typically attract pollinators.

3. to discourage herbivores: This is a likely reason for the adaptation of sharp thorns. The sharp thorns act as a defense mechanism to deter herbivores from feeding on the plant. This adaptation increases the plant's chances of survival by reducing herbivory.

4. to provide shade for the plant: This is also unlikely, as sharp thorns are not related to providing shade.

Therefore, the most likely reason for the adaptation of sharp thorns in this flowering plant species is to discourage herbivores.

For the second question about the snail populations, the most likely outcome is that:

Speciation will rapidly occur in one of the snail populations that landed on the new island with the voracious new predator, but not in the other two snail populations.

The introduction of a new predator can lead to selective pressure on the snail population. The snails that have traits or behaviors that better protect them from the predator are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on these advantageous traits to future generations. Over time, this selective pressure can lead to speciation, where the snail population on the second new island evolves into a distinct species adapted to survive alongside the predator.

However, the conditions on the original island and the first new island are the same, so the snail populations on these islands are not under the same selective pressure. Therefore, speciation is less likely to occur in these populations.

It's important to note that speciation is a complex process that takes place over significant periods of time and is influenced by various factors. This explanation is a simplified overview and may not capture all the intricacies of the process.