Natural Selection and Adaptations

When the peppered moths' light-colored trees were covered in soot, the forest was suddenly made up of dark-colored trees.  Which of the following explains what will happen to the moth population?

• The light moths that survive will not mate and have offspring because they know that their offspring would easily be seen and eaten by predators.
• The light moths that survive will have dark offspring because the change in the environment will cause the parents to have offspring that would do better in the new environment.
• The light moths will see that the dark moths will be less likely to be eaten by predators, so they made themselves dark as well.
• The dark moths will be better camouflaged from predators, so more of them will survive and pass on those traits.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Coloring or another physical characteristic that help an organism blend in with its environment

• mimicry
• camouflage
• hibernation
• migration

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

When an organism copies a characteristic of something else in order to better its chances for survival and reproduction

• hibernation
• camouflage
• mimicry
• migration

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A shark’s sharp teeth would be a(n) _______________.

• structural adaptation.
• physiological adaptation
• behavioral adaptation.
• none of the available options.

When the Virginia opossum feels threatened it will exhibit behaviors like running or growling. Sometimes it will roll over, become stiff, drool, and change its breathing to a slow and shallow pace. Possums can maintain this behavior for up to four hours. Some predators will think the opossum is dead and go away. The adaptation the opossum is using is an example of ___.

• an environmental adaptation
• a behavioral adaptation
• a physiological adaptation
• a structural adaptation

Which of the following are behavioral adaptations of plants?

• Growing towards the light.

• Dropping leaves when it gets cold.

• Chlorophyll for plants to make their own food.

• Spikes to keep animals away.

What is another name for natural selection?

• survival of the smartest

• survival of the fastest

• survival of the biggest

• survival of the fittest

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What characteristic did Darwin observe about the finches on the Galapagos Islands?

• Their feathers

• Genotypes

• Their beaks

• Their body sizes

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What is a change in an organism that allows for it to survive in its environment?

• homologous

• vestigial

• variation

• adaptation

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NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

What is this an example of?

• diversity of species

• variation

• vestigial structures

• DNA studies