Artificial Selection Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Natural Selection

Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

Natural selection is controlled by nature, while artificial selection is controlled by humans.

Explain how natural selection occurs in a population.

Natural selection occurs in all kinds of natural populations and is based on the survival of the fittest.

What types of organisms are usually subjected to artificial selection?

Artificial selection is usually performed on pet animals or animals used for economic purposes.

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection in terms of the selection process?

Artificial selection is done based on human desires and specific traits wanted, while natural selection is based on adaptable traits needed for survival in natural conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of natural selection in action.

Darwin's finches are an example of natural selection, where 14 species of small birds evolved from the same species on the Galapagos Islands. Signup and view all the answers

How does artificial selection impact the genetic diversity of a population?

Artificial selection tends to reduce genetic diversity in a population as specific traits are selected for breeding. Signup and view all the answers

What is sexual selection and on what traits does it act?

Sexual selection is a special kind of selection that acts on traits that help animals increase their chances of mating. Signup and view all the answers

Define polymorphism and how is it characterized in a population?

Polymorphism refers to many different phenotypes found in a population, each group representing a morph (form). Signup and view all the answers

Explain artificial selection and provide an example.

Artificial selection is the process of intentional or unintentional modification of a species through human actions that encourage the breeding of certain traits over others. An example is selective breeding. Signup and view all the answers

How has selective breeding contributed to the development of desirable traits in plants and animals over thousands of years?

Selective breeding has led to the growth of plants and domestication of animals over thousands of years by focusing on desirable characteristics like milk yield in cattle, meat yield in poultry and cattle, and woolly fleece in sheep. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of a fruit or vegetable that has been improved or created through artificial selection.

Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage were all derived from the wild mustard plant through selective breeding. Signup and view all the answers

How has artificial selection influenced the diversity of dog breeds?

Artificial selection has allowed humans to drastically alter the appearance of dogs by selectively breeding them for various desired characteristics, resulting in a wide range of dog breeds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between natural selection and artificial selection?

Natural selection is driven by environmental factors and survival of the fittest, while artificial selection is driven by human intervention to breed for specific traits. Signup and view all the answers

How does natural selection contribute to the evolution of species?

Natural selection favors individuals with advantageous traits, leading to the survival and reproduction of those individuals, passing on their genes to the next generation. Signup and view all the answers

What is directional selection and how does it affect allele frequencies in a population?

Directional selection occurs when a certain allele confers greater fitness, leading to an increase in the frequency of that allele until it is fixed in the gene pool. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of artificial selection in agriculture.

Breeding crops for larger fruit size or higher yield. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how gene flow (migration) can impact genetic diversity in populations.

Gene flow introduces new alleles to a population, increasing genetic diversity. Signup and view all the answers

Describe stabilizing selection and its impact on phenotypic variation.

Stabilizing selection favors intermediate variants, reducing phenotypic variation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Types of Selection

Natural Selection: Occurs in a population when individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to their offspring.
Artificial Selection: Humans intentionally select for specific traits in a population, often through breeding, to produce desired characteristics.

Natural Selection

Occurs when environmental pressures, such as predators, climate, or competition, affect an individual's ability to survive and reproduce.
Favors individuals with traits that provide a survival or reproductive advantage, leading to adaptation and evolution.

Artificial Selection

Typically involves selective breeding of domesticated plants and animals.
Examples: dogs, cattle, crops (e.g., corn, apples).

Comparison of Natural and Artificial Selection

Selection Process: Natural selection is a natural process, while artificial selection is human-directed.
Selection Pressure: Natural selection is driven by environmental pressures, while artificial selection is driven by human desires.

Examples

Natural Selection: Peppered moths in England, where moths with dark-colored wings became more common due to the industrial revolution's pollution, providing camouflage on dark tree trunks.
Artificial Selection: Development of the corn plant from its wild ancestor, teosinte, through selective breeding for desirable traits like larger kernels and sweeter taste.

Impact on Genetic Diversity

Artificial Selection: Can lead to a loss of genetic diversity in a population as only individuals with desired traits are bred, reducing the gene pool.
Natural Selection: Can maintain or increase genetic diversity as individuals with diverse traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Additional Concepts

Sexual Selection: A type of natural selection that acts on traits that influence an individual's mating success, such as bright plumage or strength.
Polymorphism: The existence of multiple forms of a gene or trait in a population, often leading to increased genetic diversity.
Directional Selection: A type of natural selection that favors one extreme of a trait, leading to a shift in the population's allele frequencies.
Stabilizing Selection: A type of natural selection that favors average or intermediate traits, reducing extreme variation in a population.
Gene Flow: The movement of individuals with different genetic traits into a population, increasing genetic diversity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the process of artificial selection, where humans control the breeding of organisms to produce desired traits. Learn about the impact on plant and animal species and how it differs from natural selection.