Genetics & Mutations
What does a mutation refer to?
A) A change in a gene's DNA sequence
B) A type of animal adaptation
C) The process of natural selection
D) A kind of body protein
A) A change in a gene's DNA sequence
What are the four main ideas of natural selection?
A) Variation, Mutation, Fitness, Evolution
B) Mutation, Inheritance, Adaptation, Survival
C) Growth, Reproduction, Mutation, Death
D) Overproduction, Variation, Competition, Selection
D) Overproduction, Variation, Competition, Selection
What is an adaptation?
A) A trait that helps survival and reproduction
B) A random DNA change
C) A behavior learned quickly
D) A mutation type
A) A trait that helps survival and reproduction
What color is a polar bear’s skin?
A) Pink
B) White
C) Brown
D) Black
D) Black
What is an ecosystem?
A) A group of animals only
B) A community of living things and their environment
C) A single plant
D) A type of mutation
B) A community of living things and their environment
How might a mutation influence a protein?
A) It always damages the protein
B) It can alter the protein’s function, sometimes helping or harming
C) It makes proteins stronger only
D) It removes the protein completely
B) It can alter the protein’s function, sometimes helping or harming
How did Darwin describe "fitness"?
A) The size of an organism
B) How fast an organism runs
C) How well an organism survives and reproduces
D) The color of an organism
C) How well an organism survives and reproduces
Which traits help polar bears live in the Arctic?
A) Wings, sharp claws, bright colors
B) Thick blubber, dense fur, black skin
C) Thin fur, no fat, white skin
D) Long legs, webbed feet, scales
B) Thick blubber, dense fur, black skin
Why does polar bear fur look white, though it’s translucent?
A) The skin under the fur is white
B) The environment paints the fur white
C) Light scatters through hollow hairs
D) The fur is solid white
C) Light scatters through hollow hairs
Which of these are types of interactions between organisms?
A) Competition and symbiosis
B) Photosynthesis and respiration
C) Mutation and natural selection
D) Eating and sleeping
A) Competition and symbiosis
Why can some gene mutations have no effect?
A) Because they drastically change amino acids
B) Because they always cause disease
C) Because they happen where DNA doesn’t code for proteins
D) Because they make the organism stronger
C) Because they happen where DNA doesn’t code for proteins
How did natural selection shape finch beaks on different islands?
A) All finches had the same beak shape
B) Finches with beaks suited to local food survived better
C) Beak shapes changed randomly
D) Beak shapes changed due to weather only
B) Finches with beaks suited to local food survived better
What is the difference between behavioral and structural adaptations?
A) Structural adaptations only happen in plants
B) Behavioral is a body part; structural is learned behavior
C) Both are the same
D) Behavioral is a learned action; structural is a body feature
D) Behavioral is a learned action; structural is a body feature
Why is black skin helpful for polar bears?
A) It scares predators
B) It absorbs heat to keep them warm
C) It makes them invisible and gives them a hunting advantage.
D) It helps swimming speed and food attainment.
B) It absorbs heat to keep them warm
How does a predator-prey relationship affect species?
A) It doesn’t affect them at all
B) Prey develop traits to avoid predators; predators develop traits to catch prey
C) Predators always lose
D) Prey become predators
B) Prey develop traits to avoid predators; predators develop traits to catch prey
Which mutation would help animals survive in cold places?
A) Mutation increasing cold sensitivity
B) Mutation causing loss of fur
C) Mutation reducing blood flow to limbs
D) Mutation improving fat use to save energy
D) Mutation improving fat use to save energy
Which is an example of an environmental factor that selects traits?
A) Cold winters favor thick fur
B) Random DNA mutations
C) Animals choosing mates
D) The color of the sky
A) Cold winters favor thick fur
What is one way scientists study evolution?
A) Measuring running speed
B) Looking at eye color
C) Comparing fossils
D) Tasting plants
C) Comparing fossils
Which two pressures shaped polar bear traits?
A) Camouflage for hunting seals and staying warm
B) Flying and living in trees
C) Swimming in warm water and eating plants
D) Avoiding sunlight and living underground
A) Camouflage for hunting seals and staying warm
How can changes in an ecosystem affect natural selection?
A) They don’t affect natural selection
B) New conditions can make some traits more helpful, changing which organisms survive
C) All organisms stay the same
D) Organisms stop reproducing
B) New conditions can make some traits more helpful, changing which organisms survive
What is the correct order showing how a DNA change affects a trait?
A) DNA change → mRNA codon change → amino acid change → protein change → trait change
B) DNA change → amino acid change → mRNA codon change → trait change
C) Trait change → protein change → DNA change → mRNA codon change
D) Protein change → DNA change → trait change → mRNA codon change
A) DNA change → mRNA codon change → amino acid change → protein change → trait change
How does natural selection lead to evolution?
A) It only affects plants
B) It causes sudden trait changes
C) It stops all changes in populations
D) It increases the frequency of helpful traits
D) It increases the frequency of helpful traits
How does a helpful trait spread in a population?
A) Individuals with the trait survive better and pass it on, making it common
B) Traits never change, and life continues as it always has.
C) Only mutations spread quickly, disappearing through natural selection
D) Traits disappear fast, hardly making a difference.
A) Individuals with the trait survive better and pass it on, making it common
How might climate change impact polar bears?
A) Loss of sea ice will cause them to evolve into tropical animals faster
B) Polar bears will quickly evolve wings so they can fly over the water
C) Climate change has no effect
D) Loss of sea ice will reduce their hair, causing them to go bald
D) Loss of sea ice reduces hunting, risking population decline
What is coevolution?
A) When two species evolve together because they affect each other
B) When one species evolves alone
C) When species don’t change
D) When animals evolve wings suddenly
A) When two species evolve together because they affect each other