Population Changes Flashcard

Front

What is an adaptive trait?

Back

An adaptive trait is a characteristic that enhances an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

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Why might yellow color not always be an adaptive trait in a yellow environment?

Back

The effectiveness of a trait depends on various factors, including predation, competition, and environmental changes. Yellow color may not provide an advantage if other factors outweigh its benefits.

Front

What does it mean to support a claim with evidence?

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Supporting a claim with evidence means providing data or observations that back up the assertion made, demonstrating its validity.

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What does it mean to refute a claim?

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To refute a claim means to provide evidence or reasoning that contradicts or disproves the assertion.

Front

What can a histogram tell us about a population?

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A histogram visually represents the distribution of traits within a population, showing how many individuals possess certain characteristics.

Front

What does it indicate if most newts have high-poison level traits?

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It suggests that high-poison level traits may be advantageous for survival, possibly due to reduced predation.

Front

What does it indicate if most newts had low-poison level traits 50 generations ago?

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It may indicate that low-poison traits were more favorable in the past, possibly due to different environmental pressures or predator-prey dynamics.

Front

How can population traits change over generations?

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Population traits can change due to natural selection, genetic drift, mutations, and environmental changes that favor certain characteristics.

Front

What is the significance of studying population changes?

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Studying population changes helps us understand evolution, species adaptation, and the impact of environmental factors on biodiversity.

Front

What role does evidence play in scientific claims?

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Evidence is crucial in science as it provides the basis for validating or disproving claims, ensuring conclusions are grounded in observable data.