Question

Although many chimpanzees live in environments with oil palm nuts, members of only a few populations use stones to crack open the nuts. The likely explanation is that

(A) the behavioral difference is caused by genetic differences between populations.

(B) members of different populations have different nutritional requirements.

(C) the cultural tradition of using stones to crack nuts has arisen in only some populations.

(D) members of different populations differ in learning ability.

Short answer

1. The statement “the behavioral difference is caused by genetic differences between populations” isfalse.

2. The statement “members of different populations have different nutritional requirements” isfalse.

3. The statement “the cultural tradition of using stones to crack nuts has arisen in only some populations” is true.

4. The statement “members of different populations differ in learning ability” is false.

Step-by-step solution

Adaptive behavior

The behavior of any organism changes through the process of evolution. Organisms develop certain behaviors due to the influence of the environment for their adaptation and reproductive success. The adaptive behavior which favors the population of any organism is forced by natural selection.

Explanation of option ‘(A)’

Using tools such as stones to crack nuts is an example of adaptive behavior in chimpanzees. The environment influences it. The population lives in a habitat with oil palm nuts. The behavioral difference is due to their habitat and not their genes.

Therefore, the genetic difference did not cause the behavioral difference in the chimpanzees.

Thus, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(B)’

The nutritional requirement of the chimpanzee’s population is almost similar all over the world. They are omnivores. They feed on plant materials such as fruit, nuts, seeds, insects, meat, and eggs.

Therefore, environmental influence has developed the ability in chimpanzees to use stones to crack the nuts in a certain population.

Thus, the given statement is false.

Explanation of option ‘(C)’

The population which lives around oil palm nuts has culturally developed to use a stone to crack nuts. The cultural adaptation is specific or endemic to a limited population.

Therefore, the chimpanzee population living in other regions did not learn to use stones to crack the nuts.

Thus, the given statement is true.

Explanation of option ‘(D)’

Members of the different populations did not learn how to nuts because they do not live in a habitat rich in oil palm nuts which are challenging to break by hand.

Therefore, the evolution of cultural behavior is entirely environment dependent.

Thus, the given statement is false.