Natural selection

The theory of evolution was proposed by . . .

• Charles Darwin.

• Charles Dickens.

• Albert Einstein.

• James Watson and Francis Crick.

The theory of evolution explains how species change and new species arise through the process of natural _________.

• selection

• separation

• difference

Why was Darwin's book On the Origin of Species controversial at the time of its publication?

• Many people believed that God had made all the animals and plants the way they were.

• Darwin used fossils as evidence, and there were a number of gaps in the fossil record.

• DNA hadn't been discovered, so Darwin could not explain how features were inherited.

• all of the above

Darwin wrote that organisms with traits that are best suited to the environment will ________________

• increase in number
  
• become extinct
  

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what did Charles Darwin observe in finch populations of the Galapagos Islands off the coast of South America?

• different species on different islands
• all species on one of the islands
• identical species on all the islands
• the same species as North America

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

• Their feathers 
• Genotypes 
• Their beaks
• Their body sizes

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What is the advantage of having different shaped beaks?

• To look different from other species.
• To be able to eat the food readily available in the environment.
• To protect itself against predators.
• To protect itself against prey.

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The theory of evolution by natural selection means that what is changing over time?

• The inherited traits of a population.
• The acquired traits of a population.
• Hair color and eye color
• Attractive features.

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If a light peppered moth is NOT well adapted to the environment (living on dark tree bark) it will ________ in frequency.

• remain the same

• increase

• decrease

Since the 1800s humans have stopped burning coal, and the trees have returned to their original color. Which moth will be more successful in this environment?

• Dark moth
• Light moth
• Both will be equally successful
• Neither will be successful

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