[Campbell Biology P.1140] Based on Figure 49.10 and the accompanying text, what is a notable ... | Practice Question

Based on Figure 49.10 and the accompanying text, what is a notable evolutionary trend concerning the forebrain in vertebrates?

  • A: The forebrain's relative size has remained largely constant across all vertebrate groups.
  • B: In birds and mammals, the forebrain occupies a larger fraction of the brain compared to amphibians and fish.
  • C: The olfactory bulb, a part of the forebrain, is consistently the largest component across all vertebrates.
  • D: The cerebrum, found in the forebrain, is relatively small in birds and mammals compared to other vertebrates.

Explanation

The text states: 'First, the forebrain of birds and mammals occupies a larger fraction of the brain than it does in amphibians, fishes, and other vertebrates.' This is clearly visible in Figure 49.10 where the forebrain orange/red is much more prominent in birds and especially mammals.