Question

provide a logical step by step hypothesis that describes the steps of natural selection in how a specific fungus might've evovled the ability to associate with plants. you must use proper terminology associated with the plant fungus structures.

relationg to natural selection please

Answer 1

Lets discuss about how the fungus evolved by natural selection to be associated with a plant in a symbiotic relationship.

The steps of natural selection are:

• Variation
• Inheritance
• High rate of population growth
• Survival of the fittest

Variation: In fungus, some individual start to exhibit special hyphae which grows out of mycelium and can attach to root tips of plants by forming mantle and hartig net.

Inheritance: This special characteristics is passed on to newr generations and more and more individuals start to exhibit this feature.

High rate of population growth: Thu free fungus and the fungus attached with plants start reproducing highly causing a population explosion.

Survival of the fittest: The fungus which are attached to plant are able to survive more than free fungus because they have better availability of nutrients and btetter protection and are naturally selected. The free living fungus thus died off.

And thus this fungus evolved the property to associate with plants.