Natural Selection Practice

A certain species of freshwater frog varies in several characteristics. All have spots but the size and number of frogs vary. Males of the species vocalize loudly while females are silent. All the frogs eat insects but some frogs are more successful hunters. When the pond dries up some members of the species can survive without water by entering a state of inactivity, like sleep.

Which of these characteristics will more likely become more common in the population after the several years of very little rainfall?

• All frogs will have more and larger spots

• Females will also make sounds

• Most frogs will be better at catching insects

• More frogs will enter an inactive state

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A plant species has evolved to contain a bad-tasting chemical. What is the most likely effect of this adaptation?

• Animals are less likely to eat the plant

• The plant begins to change colors after it is eaten

• The chemical is used to aid in photosynthesis

• Animals are more likely to eat the plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

When organisms with the best adaptations survive and reproduce (and therefore pass their traits along to offspring), this is called:

• Evolution
• Natural Selection
• Extinction
• Artifical Selection

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Finches on the Galapagos Islands all come from a common ancestor. Over millions of years, the beaks on the finches living on each island changed. Why did this happen?

• They wanted to look different to help them blend in
• They adapted to eat the food available on their island
• They wanted to protect themselves against predators
• Their beaks didn't actually change

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What word describes a trait that helps an organism survive in its environment?

• natural selection

• mutation

• camouflage

• adaptation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4