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) some structures are so complex that natural selection cannot, and will not, explain their origins.
B) the power of natural selection allows it to act in an almost predictive fashion, producing organs that will be needed in future environments.
C) the motors of bacterial flagella were originally synthesized abiotically.
D) natural selection can produce new structures by coupling together parts of other structures.
E) bacteria that possess flagella must have lost the ability to pump certain chemicals across their plasma membranes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that proteins from different structures (plasma membrane pumps) were re-purposed to form a complex structure (bacterial flagella motor) suggests that natural selection can produce new structures by building upon and modifying existing ones. This is consistent with the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Certain Proteins of the Complex Motor That Drives Bacterial Flagella