Evolution
Adaptation
Natural Selection
Fossils & Adaptations
Random
100
Why did horses evolve to have single-toed hooves?
To be able to run on open ground.
100
According to the theory of evolution, which offspring will most likely survive?
offspring best adapted to the environment
100
What is natural selection?
survival of the organisms that are best adapted to the environment
100
Describe a beak shape that would best suited for drinking nectar from flowers.
long and thin like a needle
100
A biologist observes that most newborn water snakes are heavily banded, but that these heavily banded snakes are eliminated from the population before they mature. Which factor most likely results in the elimination of heavily banded snakes?
They are not camouflaged as well and are spotted easily by predators.
200
In pre-industrialized England, there were larger numbers of white-bodied peppered moths than black-bodied peppered moths. White-bodied peppered moths were able to blend with the bark of trees that were covered with light-colored lichens. After industrialization, pollution resulted in the deposition of soot on trees’ bark, destroying these light-colored lichens. Gradually, the black-bodied peppered moths started to outnumber the white-bodied peppered moths. What accounts for the increase in the number of black-bodied peppered moths in post-industrialized England?
They were able to be unseen by predators.
200
What is a specially developed characteristic that enables an organism to survive in a specific environment?
adaptation
200
A cactus is a plant commonly found in the deserts of North America. How has the plant adapted for survival in an environment with limited precipitation?
It is able to hold large amounts of water in its leaves, so it can survive periods of drought.
200
What is a defense that plants have against plant eaters?
thorns, needles, poison, sap
200
An ecologist is studying a population of grasshoppers in Sweden and observes that green grasshoppers are found mainly in green pastures, and there are more non-green grasshoppers in areas grazed by sheep. She observes that red grasshoppers are common where plants with red flowers are abundant. Which factor best explains the color variation in the grasshoppers in the study?
Color variation helps the grasshoppers adapt to their specific habitats.
300
A dog, human, bat, and dolphin have the same corresponding bones in their limbs. Which type of structure is this? analogous, heterozygous, homologous, or homozygous
homologous structures
300
Plants in the desert have adapted to the low amount of water and high temperatures. What kinds of plants would be well suited to this environment?
cactus or succulents
300
The class listed the characteristics of the acacia tree found in the savannas of Africa: deep taproots; very small flowers; small leathery leaves; leaves arranged vertically from the ground. How do these adaptations help the acacia tree?
They prevent excessive loss of water.
300
How does mimicry help some animals/insects?
Predators avoid them because they look like others that are bitter, poisonous, venomous, etc.
300
The leaf shape shown is particularly suited for a pond environment. Which factor explains why this shape is well adapted for an aquatic environment?
It is broad and that helps it float near the surface to access sunlight.
400
True or False - Some possible factors that would increase the chances of survival of species during rapid environmental change would be more offspring produced and less variation in genotypic traits.
False; the last part should be a greater variation in phenotypic traits
400
A botanist observed that there are two kinds of holly tree leaves. The leaves that grow near the ground (and up to 2.5 meters up the tree) were toothed, and the leaves higher up the tree (at heights greater than 2.5 meters) were non-toothed (smooth). Why are the lower leaves toothed?
To protect the tree against herbivores or predators that eat leaves.
400
A forest is densely packed with a variety of tree species that average 100 feet tall, while the forest floor is filled with ferns and other small plants. Which animal has the adaptations necessary for survival?
rabbits or other herbivores that aren't very tall
400
Which term describes the structures of the pterosaur, the bat, and the bird?
analogous, heterozygous, homologous, or tectonic
analogous structures
400
The chickadee is a bird species widely spread across North America. During their breeding season, the chickadees hunt for caterpillars, which are food for their offspring. With the recent rise in global temperatures, the population of caterpillars is maturing earlier in the spring season than in previous years. As a result, the majority of the chickadee population has started to lay eggs a few weeks before the caterpillars mature. Why are chickadees adapting to the caterpillars maturing earlier?
To make sure they have enough food for their offspring.
500
When observing organisms at various stages of development (fish, human, turtle, chicken), what term describes those similarities? embryological, superposition, taxonomic, tectonic
embryological similarities
500
Potatoes in Ireland were introduced from South America. In 1845, a fungal disease causing rot in potatoes began to spread. The disease damaged most of the potato crop. Why was most of the potato crop affected by the fungal disease?
The potato plants had a low genetic variation.
500
Students studying biomes in their science class were asked to brainstorm adaptations of organisms for survival in the desert. They recorded their ideas in a numbered table: 1 Many mammals are voracious eaters, allowing them to consume large amounts of protein to be stored for long periods of time. 2 Small animals burrow into the ground during the day to avoid the sun’s heat and emerge only at night when temperatures are lower. 3 Some plants have long taproots, enabling them to penetrate the water table deep within the ground. 4 Many animals have abundant sweat glands to encourage the excretion of water. 5 Many mammals have long tubes in their kidneys and produce highly-concentrated urine to conserve water. Which ideas describe adaptations of desert organisms?
2, 3, and 5
500
Why do camels have two rows of eyelashes?
To protect their eyes from blowing sand.
500
Flowers 75 million years ago to today's modern flower have changed over time. Why have early flowers formed 75 million years ago gradually changed into the modern flowers we see today?
They have adapted to the environmental conditions over time.