GHS - Evolution

Genetic variation can aid in the survival of species when the environment changes. Which of the following is the best example of an organism with a genetic variation that could improve survival chances over time?

• a cactus that has no spines

• a wasp infected with parasites

• a bacteria that is resistant to hand sanitizer

• a mouse that learned to avoid mousetraps

What eventually happens to a species when the environment changes and the organisms do not adapt?

• classification

• fossils

• extinction

• fitness

Which process is a cause of variation in a species?

• homologous structures

• embryology

• co-evolution

• sexual reproduction

Scientists have discovered fossils of the sea squirt sponge in only one rock layer around the world. This rock layer is below the layer of rock that contain fossils of giant sea clams. These fossils provide evidence that

• the sea squirt sponge is 1 million years old

• giant sea clams are only 2 million years old

• sea squirt sponges were on the earth before giant sea clams

• most life-forms that existed in the past are still present today

The diagram below represents a species of beetle (ladybug) with two different body colors labeled A and B. These beetles live on trees and are eaten by birds. The percentage of each body color in the population of this species is indicated. What type of evolution does this represent?

• sexual selection

• directional selection

• co-evolution

• convergent evolution

The diagram below represents a species of beetle (ladybug) with two different body colors labeled A and B. These beetles live on trees and are eaten by birds. The percentage of each body color in the population of this species is indicated. What type of habitat would you infer the Ladybugs live?

• trees that have light color bark

• trees that have stripe color bark

• trees that have various shades of color

• trees that have dark color bark

Millions of species of organisms are present on Earth today. Which process is most responsible for the variety of species on Earth today?

• stabilizing selection

• geographic isolation

• convergent evolution

• directional selection

The diagram shows how modern types of flowers developed from early types of flowers over the last 75 million years. What is the most likely reason why these early flowers gradually changed to many different types of flowers over time?

• the flowers’ traits were genetically engineered.

• the environments of the flowers stayed the same

• the genetic material of the flowers stayed the same.

• the flowers adapted to environmental conditions.

Which process is represented in this diagram?

• artificial selection

• co-evolution

• selective breeding

• evolution

In which population would you expect the most rapid evolutionary change?

• large population with a high mutation rate in a changing environment

• small population with a low mutation rate in a stable environment

• small population with a high mutation rate in a changing environment

• large population with a low mutation rate in a stable environment