Theory of Evolution
Natural Selection
Adaptations
Fossil Record
Biodiversity
100
What is the name of the scientist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection?
Charles Darwin
100
What is "natural selection"? Give a short definition.
Natural selection is the process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more, passing those traits on.
100
What is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a heritable trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival and reproduction in its environment.
100
What is a fossil?
A fossil is preserved remains, impression, or trace of an organism from the past.
100
What does "biodiversity" mean?
Biodiversity is the variety of life in an area, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
200
Define the term "Evolution".
Evolution is the change in populations of organisms over time.
200
How does variation in a population affect natural selection?
More variation gives more possible traits for selection to act on; without variation, selection cannot favor different traits.
200
Give one example of a behavioral adaptation and one example of a structural (physical) adaptation.
Behavioral: migration; Structural: webbed feet.
200
How can fossils tell scientists about organisms that lived long ago?
Fossils show what organisms looked like, where they lived, and sometimes how they behaved (e.g., footprints).
200
Why is biodiversity important for ecosystems? Give one reason.
It increases ecosystem stability and resilience, providing services like pollination and nutrient cycling.
300
Explain why populations, not individuals, are said to evolve.
Individuals do not change their traits within their lifetime, they pass down traits that allow them to survive stronger and longer than other individuals in their species or population.
300
Describe how an environmental change could lead to a change in which traits are favored by natural selection. Give a short example.
Example: If a region becomes colder, individuals with thicker fur may survive and reproduce more, increasing thicker-fur alleles in the population.
300
Explain how camouflage functions as an adaptation for both predator and prey.
Predator: camouflage helps sneak up on prey by blending in. Prey: camouflage helps avoid detection by predators.
300
Describe two limitations of the fossil record that make it incomplete.
Limitations: soft-bodied organisms rarely fossilize; fossils require specific conditions to form; record is incomplete and biased toward certain environments and time periods.
300
Describe one human activity that reduces biodiversity and one conservation action that can help protect biodiversity.
Human activity: habitat destruction (e.g., deforestation). Conservation action: protected areas/national parks, habitat restoration, captive breeding, or anti-poaching laws.
400
Give two different pieces of scientific evidence that support the theory of evolution.
fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetic/DNA similarities
400
Charles Darwin wrote the book On the Origin of Species. This work describes his theory of
how species evolved due to natural selection. Which of the examples below are NOT an
example of natural selection?
A. Cheetahs can run faster than their prey
B. Leaf-eating insects are the same colors of their food.
C. Eagles have sharp talons to grasp and fly with their prey
D. Cabbage plants were selected by farmers to be grown for food.
D. Cabbage plants were selected by farmers to be grown for food.
400
Describe how an adaptation that is beneficial in one environment could be harmful in a different environment. Provide a specific example.
Example: Thick fur is beneficial in cold climates but causes overheating in hot deserts.
400
What does the fossil record tell us about the order in which different groups of organisms appeared on Earth?
The fossil record shows a general order from simple to more complex forms over long time spans and shows when major groups first appear.
400
A scientist observes six lady beetles of the same species that live in the same location.
Each of the lady beetles is a different shade of orange or yellow, and each has a different
number of black spots. Which statement MOST LIKELY explains how these differences relate
to the evolution of the lady beetle species?
A. These differences show that the species may learn to adapt to a warmer and drier climate.
B. These differences show that damage to plants in the habitat has caused the species to develop additional spots.
C. These differences show that mutations have developed in the population as the species was exposed to pollutants.
D. These differences show that there is a genetic variation in the population that may allow the species to survive changes to its habitat.
D. These differences show that there is a genetic variation in the population that may allow the species to survive changes to its habitat.
500
Which statement provides the BEST evidence that modern birds evolved from theropod
dinosaurs?
A. Theropod dinosaur fossils are much younger than modern bird fossils.
B. Modern bird body structures look nothing like fossils of theropod dinosaurs.
C. Modern bird behaviors are much different than fossils of theropod dinosaurs.
D. Theropod dinosaur fossils have feathers, nests, and eggs similar to modern birds.
D. Theropod dinosaur fossils have feathers, nests, and eggs similar to modern birds.
500
Which situation best demonstrates how genetic variation contributes to natural selection?
A. All plants in a garden receive the same amount of sunlight.
B. Some bacteria in a population are resistant to antibiotics and survive treatment.
C. A farmer waters crops every day.
D. Birds migrate south during the winter.
B. Some bacteria in a population are resistant to antibiotics and survive treatment.
500
In a population of rabbits, some have long fur and others have short fur because of genetic differences. A series of colder winters occurs over many years.
What will most likely happen to the rabbit population over time?
A. Rabbits with long fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
B. All rabbits will grow longer fur during the winter.
C. Rabbits with short fur will become extinct immediately.
D. The environment will stop affecting the rabbits.
A. Rabbits with long fur will be more likely to survive and reproduce.
500
Why do scientists use the fossil record as evidence for the scientific theory of evolution?
A. The fossil record provides evidence of all species that have ever existed
B. The fossil record provides evidence that extinct species share similarities with current species.
C. The fossil record provides evidence that all extinct species became fossilized at the same time.
D. The fossil record provides evidence that extinct species are genetically identical to current species.
B. The fossil record provides evidence that extinct species share similarities with current species.
500
A population of cockroaches living in a light background environment contains individuals
that are one of three different shades of brown: 80% are light brown, 10% are medium brown,
and 10% are dark brown. The current environment changes to a very dark environment. The
table below shows four possible outcomes resulting from this change over a period of time.
Which would be the MOST likely outcome?
A. Outcome 1
B. Outcome 2
C. Outcome 3
D. Outcome 4
C. Outcome 3