Natural Selection

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the process of evolution?

• The process where different kinds of organisms have developed and become diverse from earlier life forms during the history of Earth.

• The process where organisms remain unchanged over time.

• The process where only plants and animals change over time.

• The process where only extinct species are studied.

Multiple Choice

According to the modern theory of evolution, what causes the physical and chemical changes that lead to natural selection?

• Random mutations at the level of DNA and genes

• Environmental changes only

• Changes in behavior

• Sudden appearance of new species

Open Ended

Explain how the movement of tectonic plates can influence the distribution of species over time.

Open Ended

How does the sharp division of placental and marsupial mammals at Wallace's line help support the theory of evolution and the idea of common descent?

Open Ended

The arms of humans, whales, and bats have all of the same bones, arranged in the same manner. Why have these three organisms evolved such different types of arms?

Multiple Select

The presence of a pelvis bone in whales provides evidence that

• the bone is randomly there

• an ancestor of the whale had hind legs

• the pelvis doesn't cause harm so has not evolved away

• whales are weird

Open Ended

Why do you think that we get goosebumps? How could this have been an advantage to a distant human ancestor?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements best explains why the modern theory of evolution is considered a scientific theory?

• It is supported by all available evidence gathered through research, experimentation, and testing.

• It is just an idea with no evidence.

• It is believed by most scientists without proof.

• It is based on ancient myths.

Open Ended

What is one thing you learned about natural selection today that surprised you or made you think differently?