The following question is based on the observation that several dozen different proteins comprise the prokaryotic flagellum and its attachment to the prokaryotic cell, producing a highly complex structure.
Certain proteins of the complex motor that drives bacterial flagella are modified versions of proteins that had previously belonged to plasma membrane pumps. This evidence supports the claim that ________.
A) natural selection produces organs that will be needed in future environments
B) the motors of bacterial flagella must have originated in other organisms
C) natural selection can produce new structures by coupling together parts of other structures
D) bacteria that possess flagella must have lost the ability to pump certain chemicals across their plasma membranes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation that certain proteins of the bacterial flagellum are modified versions of proteins from plasma membrane pumps suggests that natural selection can create new structures by modifying and reusing existing parts. This supports choice C. Choices A and B are not supported by the given evidence, and choice D is unrelated to the observation about protein modifications.

The Following Question Is Based on the Observation That Several