Natural Selection

Natural Selection: How Does it Work?

By Stefan Mejia-Ott

Evolution results from a process called natural selection.

Natural Selection!

Natural selection is a process in which organisms better suited to their environment are able to survive and reproduce more offspring

These favorable traits and characteristics are then passed on to their babies through a process called inheritance.

Multiple Choice

Evolution is the result of a process called ____________

• Natural Selection

• Artificial Selection

• Survival of the Weakest

• Supernatural Selection

Multiple Choice

According to natural selection, organisms more suited to their environment are better able to

• Sleep

• Survive

• Perish

• Migrate

Multiple Choice

The process of passing down favorable traits to one's offspring is called

• Artificial Selection

• Mutations

• Evolution

• Inheritance

The process of natural selection happens when an individual’s genes become different in some way from the genes of others of its kind.

Differences in genes cause differences in an individual’s traits—such as how it looks or its behavior.

Multiple Choice

Natural selection happens when an individual's genes ______________ from the genes of other members of its species.

• Become different

• Stay the same

• Become separated

Multiple Choice

Differences in genes can cause differences in __________ (Choose the best answer).

• Mutations

• RNA

• Appearance

Changes in genetic material are called mutations.

Mutations can occur at any time during an organism’s life span.

Mutations can be inherited or happen randomly. They can also be caused by environmental factors such as too much sunlight.

Multiple Choice

Changes in genetic material are called _____________

• Mutations

• RNA

• Genes

Multiple Choice

Mutations can be inherited or be

• Chosen by the individual organism

• Caused by environmental factors

• Refused at any time

Most changes in genes either harm the individual or do not matter much.

But some changes help an individual to survive and reproduce.

For example, an animal may have better vision or faster legs. These traits may help it find food and avoid its enemies.

Multiple Choice

True or False? All changes in genes are harmless.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Some changes in genes can help organisms _____

• Survive

• Mutate

• Rest