If a population of insects experiences a mutation that doubles their wing length from one unit to two units, how is the surface area affected?

To understand how the surface area of the insects is affected when their wing length doubles, we need to consider the relationship between linear dimensions and surface area. The surface area of a two-dimensional object, such as a wing, is related to the square of its linear dimensions.

When the wing length increases from one unit to two units, the new wing dimensions are now twice as long. Since surface area is proportional to the square of the length, we calculate the new surface area as follows:

1. Original wing length: 1 unit

2. New wing length: 2 units

3. Surface area of the original wing (assuming it can be approximated as a simple shape): proportional to (1 unit)² = 1 square unit.

4. Surface area of the new wing: proportional to (2 units)² = 4 square units.

This means that when the wing length doubles, the surface area increases by a factor of four.

It's also important to understand that the weight of a wing is generally proportional to its volume (and hence mass), which incorporates three dimensions (length, width, and height). If the linear dimensions are doubled, the volume—and therefore the weight—of the wings will increase by a factor of eight