🌍 GeographyUPSC 2014Soil

Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?1. Continental drift2. Glacial cyclesSelect the correct answer using the code given below.

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2
✓ Correct answer: c) Both 1 and 2
ExplanationStatement 1 is correct: Continental drift is the gradu- al movement of Earth’s continents due to tectonic plate activity.It causes geographical isolation, leading to divergent evolution and speciation.Species adapt to new environments, creating dis- tinct biogeographical patterns like the unique primates in Aus- tralia and South America.This process has shaped evolutionary changes over time.Statement 2 is correct: Periodic advances and retreats of ice sheets, impacting climate and sea levels.It creates environmen- tal pressures, pushing species to adapt.Glacial cycles result in population bottlenecks, migration, or extinction and influences evolutionary paths.The Pleistocene glaciations played a crucial role in shaping the distribution and diversity of many species ob- served today 98

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