Evolution: Natural Selection Quiz

Questions and Answers

Explain how natural selection can lead to evolution.

When the environment changes, organisms best suited for the new environment survive and reproduce. The favorable adaptation is passed on to the next generation. Over time, more and more organisms will have the favorable adaptation, and the population will evolve.

Each organism in a population produces more offspring than can survive. This is called __.

overproduction

In order for natural selection to occur, populations must have __.

variation

When the environment changes, nature selects favorable __.

adaptations Signup and view all the answers

Over time, these ___ in a population.

build up Signup and view all the answers

Why did the color of the peppered moth change? Select one.

The environment changed. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes why the species of burrowing rodent became extinct? Select one.

A natural disaster killed off the population by flooding their habitat. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between mutations, adaptations, natural selection, and extinction.

<ul> <li>Adaptations result from random mutations in the genes of organisms. - Adaptations may be favorable or unfavorable depending on the environment. - If an adaptation is favorable, it is selected by nature and, over time, more and more organisms in a population will have it. - If the environment changes so much that the adaptations of a species are no longer enough for the species to survive, extinction will occur.</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

How will the increase in the bird population most likely affect the bug population? Select one.

Green bugs will survive better and reproduce, so the bug population will evolve into mostly green bugs. Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates a condition necessary for natural selection to occur? Select one.

Clownfish can lay a thousand eggs at a time. Signup and view all the answers

How will a genetic mutation causing a mouse to have darker fur affect the mouse and the population? Select one.

The mouse with the mutation will survive and reproduce, and the trait will spread over future generations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Selection and Evolution

Natural selection occurs when organisms best adapted to changing environments survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary changes over generations.
Favorable adaptations are inherited by offspring, increasing their prevalence in the population.

Overproduction

Overproduction refers to organisms producing more offspring than can survive, contributing to competition for resources.

Variation

Variation within populations is crucial for natural selection; without it, adaptation to environmental changes is limited.

Favorable Adaptations

Nature selects adaptations that enhance survival; over time, these adaptations accumulate in a population, influencing its evolution.

Environmental Change and Adaptation

The color change in peppered moths is an example of adaptation due to changes in the environment, driven by factors like pollution.

Extinction Scenarios

Extinction can occur due to natural disasters like flooding, which can eliminate species lacking genetic variation or adaptability.

Mutations and Adaptations

Random mutations lead to adaptations, which can be beneficial or detrimental based on environmental conditions.
Favorable adaptations enhance survival; significant environmental changes may cause extinction if adaptations are no longer sufficient.

Predator-Prey Dynamics

An increase in predator populations (e.g., birds eating bugs) can shift the bug population's composition, favoring survival of less-preferred variants (e.g., green bugs over red bugs).

Conditions for Natural Selection

A key condition for natural selection is the presence of genetic variation, evident when species (e.g., clownfish) reproduce in large numbers, increasing the likelihood of diverse traits.

Effects of Genetic Mutations

Genetic mutations can confer advantageous traits (e.g., camouflage in mice), enhancing survival and leading to their proliferation in future generations.

Scenarios Leading to Extinction

Extreme environmental changes or inability to adapt to new conditions often lead to extinction, contrasting adaptive resilience in less severe changes.

Description

Test your understanding of natural selection and its role in evolution with this quiz. Explore key concepts around survival, adaptation, and reproduction. This quiz will help reinforce your knowledge of how species evolve over time.