Vocabulary 1
The heritable change in the characteristics within a population from one generation to the next.
Evolution
This word means "a change over time"
Evolution
Evolution is considered a theory. Which of the following is true about a scientific theory?
A. It is an explanation based on observations, experimentation, and reasoning.
B. It is supported by a large body of evidence.
C. It has been thoroughly tested and does not conflict with existing experimental results.
D. All of the above are true.
D. All of the above are true.
Which one is an example of Artificial Selection?
A. The Finches Darwin studied in the Galapagos Islands
B. Modern day dogs
B. Modern day dogs
Dogs have been selectively bred by humans for many, many years. There is a large variety of dogs because of this selective breeding.
In order for a trait to be considered “favorable” it must increase the individual’s…
A. ability to produce large numbers of offspring
B. lifespan
C. fitness
D. struggle for existence.
C. fitness
Inherited characteristics of organisms that enhance their survival and reproduction in specific areas.
Adaptations
The preserved remains of ancient organisms are called...
Fossils
According to Darwin, which one of the following would result in evolution?
A. natural selection
B. acquired characteristics
C. vestigial organs
D. catastrophic events such as floods or droughts
A. natural selection
Which one is an example of Natural Selection?
A. Roses, orchids, and other flowers that have been grown and changed over time by humans.
B. Peppered Moths changing color over time to blend in with their environment
B. Peppered Moths changing color over time to blend in with their environment
Peppered moths changed during the industrial revolution, when there was more air pollution (smoke) in the air. Having darker colors that blended in with the pollution helped these moths stay hidden from predators.
Which one of the following statements is correct about natural selection?
A. Offspring inherit characteristics that their parents acquired in their lifetime.
B. Individuals that survive have variations that make them best suited for their environment.
C. Survival is determined by those individuals that can produce the largest number of offspring.
D. In each generation, the number of variations in a population increases.
B. Individuals that survive have variations that make them best suited for their environment.
An explanation or statement that has been heavily tested and is supported by a large body of evidence.
Theory
The age of an object in relation to the ages of other objects.
Relative Age
Darwin noted numerous variations in beak size and shape in the finches he observed while in the Galapagos Islands. Beak evolution is a response to which of the following?
A. the climate of the various islands in the Galapagos Islands
B. the type of food available to the finches
C. random mutations
D. the number of individuals in the population
B. the type of food available to the finches
Which one is an example of Artificial Selection?
A. Cattle, chickens, and pigs being bred for meat
B. Animals using camouflage to blend in with their environment
A. Cattle, chickens, and pigs being bred for meat
Farmers selectively breed animals that have more meat on them so they can maximize how much food can be sold to distributors.
In order for a trait or characteristic to be considered “favorable” it must improve the individual’s ability to:
A. survive and reproduce
B. escape predators
C. acquire food
D. acquire shelter
A. survive and reproduce
The actual age of an object determined through a radioactive dating process.
Absolute Age
Similar structures shared between similar species, such as mammals having similar bones between human hands and whale fins.
Homologous Structures
Which one of the following statements is correct about natural selection?
A. Offspring inherit characteristics that their parents acquired in their lifetime.
B. Individuals that survive have variations that make them best suited for their environment.
C. Survival is determined by those individuals that can produce the largest number of offspring.
D. In each generation, the number of variations in a population increases.
B. Individuals that survive have variations that make them best suited for their environment.
Which one is an example of Natural Selection?
A. Pesticide resistance in insects
B. Humans choosing the best crops to take seeds from
A. Pesticide resistance in insects
Natural selection could not occur without…
A. changes in the environment
B. gene mutations
C. competition for food
D. genetic variations
D. genetic variations
Structures that serve no purpose and seem to be left over from a previous ancestor.
Vestigial Structures
Moths, bats, and birds all have wings, but all descend from very different species. What is the term for structures that are similar between species from different ancestors?
Analogous Structures
Some individuals in a population possess traits or characteristics that make them better suited for their particular environment. What happens to these traits with each new generation?
A. These traits will gradually begin to disappear.
B. The traits will become stronger and more dominant.
C. The traits will become more common among the offspring.
D. The number of offspring possessing these traits will stay the same generation after generation.
C. The traits will become more common among the offspring.
Which one is an example of Artificial Selection?
A. Antibiotic or vaccine resistance in bacteria and viruses
B. Humans selecting certain fruits for their size and taste to take seeds from
B. Humans selecting certain fruits for their size and taste to take seeds from
A farmer sprayed his cornfield with a pesticide and was pleased to see that most of the pest insects had been eliminated. After several years, the pesticide loses its effectiveness. What is the most likely explanation for this?
A. The environment changed which altered the chemical composition of the pesticide.
B. There was a higher than normal rate of immigration of insects.
C. A few insects possessed genetic traits that prevented them from being killed by pesticide, and these favorable traits were passed to future offspring.
D. New and different types of insects moved into the cornfield.
C. A few insects possessed genetic traits that prevented them from being killed by pesticide, and these favorable traits were passed to future offspring.