Describe how Giraffes evolved long necks (3)

Due to natural variation due to mutations in their DNA, some giraffes in the population had longer necks. These longer necks enabled them to reach leaves higher up on the trees, which secured them a good source of food that had less inter-species and intra-species competition. Therefore in times of scarcity, they were more likely to be able to get food, and so reach reproductive age. They could then pass on their genes, and their long necks, to future generations. This continued until giraffes had such long necks that the selective advantage of having longer necks was outweighed by other factors (weight, neck muscle strength, speed, balance) etc.

RS
Answered by Roshan S. Biology tutor

3294 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a recessively inherited disorder. A father is a suffer of CF, while the mother is normal and not a carrier. What is the chance their child will be a carrier of CF? Give your answer as a percentage.


What is the consequence of lung fibrosis on gaseous exchange?


As one of the body's homeostatic mechanisms, blood glucose levels are controlled for by the hormone insulin. Explain how the regulation in blood glucose differs in a healthy individual and in somebody with type 1 Diabetes?


Name the major organs of the Gastrointestinal tract


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning