Natural Selection
Evolution 1
Evolution 2
Evolution 3
Evolution 4
100
In which of the following scenarios will natural selection most likely occur?
A. Very little genetic variation is present within the species.
B. Harsh environmental conditions result in competition for survival.
C. No reproductive isolation barriers exist within a species living in an area.
D. A geographical area has plenty of food to support all individuals within the species living in that area.
B Harsh environmental conditions result in competition for survival.
100
Which of the following best describes the concept of "survival of the fittest"?
A. The strongest animals in a population are the only ones that survive.
B. Only the fastest animals in a population survive.
C. Individuals that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
D. Survival is random and not influenced by physical traits or behaviors.
C. Individuals that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.
100
What does the term "fitness" refer to in the context of evolution?
A. The physical strength of an organism.
B. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.
C. The speed at which an organism can move.
D. The lifespan of an organism.
B. The ability of an organism to survive and reproduce in its environment.
100
What is the ultimate source of genetic variation?
A. Natural selection.
B. Mutation.
C. Genetic drift
D. Gene flow.
B. Mutation.
100
What can cause extinction?
A. Natural disasters.
B. Human activities.
C. Changes in climate.
D. All of the above.
D. All of the above.
200
What is natural selection?
A. The process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully.
B. The ability of an animal to learn from its environment and change its behavior accordingly.
C. A random process that leads to the development of new species over time.
D. The process by which individuals intentionally adapt to their environment.
A. The process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce most successfully.
200
Which of the following is a consequence of low biodiversity?
A. Increased resilience to environmental changes.
B. Decreased dependency on a single species for a key ecosystem service.
C. increased vulnerability to diseases and pests.
D. More stable and productive ecosystems.
C. increased vulnerability to diseases and pests.
200
What does biodiversity refer to?
A. The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
B. The number of species that are extinct.
C. The genetic similarity between different species.
D. The ability of an ecosystem to resist change.
A. The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
200
English natural scientist who formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection (1809-1882).
A. Darwin
B. Wallace
C. Linnaeus
D. Lamarck
A. Darwin
200
Change in a kind of organism over time; process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms.
A. Extinction
B. Genetic variation
C. Natural Resources
D. Evolution
D. Evolution
300
Which of the following is an example of an adaptation?
A. A polar bear's white fur.
B. A tree losing its leaves in winter.
C. A human learning a new language.
D. Both A and B.
D. Both A and B.
300
Why is genetic variation important for natural selection?
A. It ensures that all individuals in a population are identical.
B. It provides a mechanism for populations to evolve over time.
C. It decreases the survival chances of a population.
D. It has no impact on natural selection.
B. It provides a mechanism for populations to evolve over time.
300
Preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.
A. Natural Selection
B. Fossil
C. Adaptation
D. Derived trait
B. Fossil
300
The trees these moths used to live on were white but have been covered in soot from coal factories. Which moth will be more successful in this environment?
A. Dark moth
B. Light moth
C. Both will be equally successful
D. Neither will be successful
A. Dark moth
300
Scientists are studying the evolutionary history of a group of plants in the United States, and they developed an evolutionary tree, as shown below. Which statement can be inferred from the evolutionary tree?
A Species 1 is most closely related to Species 8
B Species 2 is most closely related to Species 3
C Species 3 is most closely related to Species 7
D Species 5 is most closely related to Species 6
D Species 5 is most closely related to Species 6
400
Which of the following is not a component of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?
A. variation among species
B. survival and reproduction
C. competition for food and space
D. inheritance of acquired characteristics
D. inheritance of acquired characteristics
400
What is the primary mechanism of evolution according to Darwin?
A. Mutation.
B. Natural Selection.
C. Genetic Drift.
D. Gene Flow.
B. Natural Selection.
400
Scientists are studying the evolutionary history of a group of plants in the United States, and they developed an evolutionary tree, as shown below. What information about the organisms best helps the scientists to determine the evolutionary relationships among them?
A. anatomical features
B DNA sequences
C habitat types
D reproductive strategies
B DNA sequences
400
Which of the following correctly describes the general trend in hominid evolution?
A. larger body size, broad forehead, smaller brains
B. increase in brain capacity, bipedalism, use of tools
C. thickening of the skull, protruding teeth, organized hunting
D. large canine teeth, small skulls, diet of coarse plant materia
B. increase in brain capacity, bipedalism, use of tools
400
Biogeography is the study of the location of organisms around the world. Which of the following best explains how biogeography can provide evidence for evolution?
A. It shows that organisms have changed gradually over millions of years.
B. It shows that there are similarities and differences among the DNA of different species.
C. It shows that some unrelated organisms have developed similar adaptations to similar environments.
D. It shows that organisms have structures that serve no purpose but that resemble structural roles in related organisms.
C. It shows that some unrelated organisms have developed similar adaptations to similar environments.
500
Over time, the climate of an island became drier, which resulted in changes to the populations of various island finch species. Finch populations with a certain beak shape thrived, while those not having that beak shape decreased. Which of the following describes a necessary condition for these changes in the finch populations to occur?
A. Fewer mutations
B limited food resources
C limited beak variations
D overproduction of offspring
B limited food resources
500
Scientists have found evidence that about 2.4 million years ago a gene regulating jaw muscles mutated and may have led to the more graceful human jaw we see today. The diagram below shows the skulls of 3 hominid species. Which statement below most closely explains the link between jaw size and hominid evolution?
A. The jaws of hominids evolved to be larger and more protruding over time.
B The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time.
C The jaws of hominids changed over time due to a change in brain size.
D There appears to be no change in the jaws of hominids over time
B The jaws of hominids evolved to be smaller and less protruding over time.
500
A small population of chimpanzees lives in a habitat that undergoes no changes for a long period. How will genetic drift probably affect this population?
A. It will reduce genetic diversity
B it will accelerate the appearance of new traits
C it will increase the number of alleles for specific traits
D it will promote the survival of chimpanzees with beneficial traits
A. It will reduce genetic diversity
500
In a small group of people living in a remote area of Kentucky, there is a high incidence of “blue skin,” a condition that results from a variation in the structure of hemoglobin. All the “blue-skinned” residents can trace their ancestry to one couple, who were among the original settlers of this region. The unusually high frequency of “blue skin” in the area is an example of ___.
A. Genetic drift
B mutation
C natural selection
D sexual selection
A. Genetic drift
500
A small flock of birds is blown off course during a storm and they end up hundreds of miles from where they originated. The food source in this area is very different from the food these birds normally eat. Which of the following members of the flock is most likely to survive?
A. birds that are overweight and feathery
B the birds that were the most fit in the old environment
C birds with slight misshapen beaks that could eat the new food
D birds that were older and wiser, could figure out a new food source
C birds with slight misshapen beaks that could eat the new food