Genetic Variations and Survival Flashcard

Front

What is the basic unit of heredity that is passed from parents to offspring?

Back

Gene

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

Which molecule contains the genetic code for all living organisms?

Back

DNA

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

What term describes a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits?

Back

Mutation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

Which structure in a cell contains most of the genetic material?

Back

Chromosome

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

If a population of rabbits has a genetic variation that makes some of them have white fur and others have brown fur, which trait might help them survive better in a snowy environment?

Back

White fur

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

How can mutations in DNA affect the traits of an organism?

Back

They can change the organism’s traits, sometimes helping or harming survival.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

Why is genetic variation important for the survival of a species in changing environments?

Back

It allows some individuals to have traits that help them survive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

A population of insects lives in a forest where the trees have dark bark. Some insects are light-colored, and some are dark-colored. Over time, more dark-colored insects survive. What is the most likely reason for this change?

Back

Dark-colored insects are better camouflaged and less likely to be eaten.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

How can a mutation in the genetic code increase an individual’s probability of surviving in a specific environment?

Back

A mutation can create a new trait, such as resistance to a disease, which helps the individual survive and reproduce.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

Using evidence, explain why some traits become more common in a population over time.

Back

Traits that help individuals survive and reproduce are passed on more often, so they become more common.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4