Evolution and Natural Selection

Front

adaptation

Back

inherited characteristic that increases chances of survival

Front

competition

Back

a growing population causes a scarcity of resources

Front

natural selection

Back

organisms with traits well suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a greater rate

Front

variation

Back

differences in the DNA sequence

Front

homologous structures

Back

related organisms have the same bone makeup

Front

fossil record

Back

remains of dead organisms

Front

embryology

Back

in the early stages of development dogs, pigs, and humans resemble one another

Front

A trait that makes a species better suited to survive in its environment is called a(n) _________.

Back

adaptation

Front

Individuals that are better able to cope with the challenges of their environment tend to

Back

Increase in population over time.

Front

The Asian shore crab invaded parts of the eastern coast of the United States about 15 years ago. The Asian shore crab preys on blue mussels. In the time since the Asian shore crab arrived, the average shell thickness of the blue mussel population has increased.

Which of the following is the most likely reason that this increase in shell thickness has occurred?

• Blue mussels with thick shells attract more crabs than mussels without thick shells.
• Blue mussels with thick shells grow in larger colonies than mussels without thick shells.
• Blue mussels with thick shells catch more food per day than mussels without thick shells.
• Blue mussels with thick shells survive and reproduce more successfully than mussels without thick shells.

Back

Blue mussels with thick shells survive and reproduce more successfully than mussels without thick shells.