Evolution (7.L 15.2 and 15.3)

Individuals vary in how well they are able to resist a certain disease and survive to reproduce. A diagram representing a population of organisms and the variation in that population is provided. For several generations, a disease kills off many individuals in the population. Which of the following best shows what a sample of the population will look like after many years?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Evolution is affected by many factors. Which of the following does NOT contribute significantly to the evolution of organisms?

• A natural disaster that eliminates a small number of organisms

• Genetic variation resulting from sexual reproduction

• Competition for resources within and between species

• Predators capturing and killing only certain individuals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The table provides data about frequency of traits in a population over several generations. Based on this data, which trait provided individuals with an advantage in response to an environmental change that happened between the 5th and 10th generations?

• Trait A

• Trait B

• Trait C

• Trait D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Scientists looking at the fossil record observe that in a certain kind of spiny fish, the fish evolves to have a greater number of spines over time. What is a reasonable conclusion from this observation?

• All fish within the species always have the same number of spines.

• This kind of spiny fish does not have many predators in its habitat.

• The habitat of the fish must be going through a rapid change over time.

• The greater number of spines provides some advantage to the fish.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

James is researching the advantages of varying beak sizes of four bird species in a local habitat. He records and graphs the data to show how many individuals there are in each species with different sizes of beak. The graph is provided. If all four species of birds are transported to a new habitat with completely new food sources, which species will most likely be able to avoid extinction?

• Species A

• Species B

• Species C

• Species D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following is required for a trait to become more common over time in a population?

• There must be many varieties of the trait in the population.

• The trait must allow members of the population to eat only some kinds of food.

• The traits must give individuals an advantage in producing offspring that survive.

• The trait must be the result of an immediate change in the environment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A species of insect will most likely go extinct as a result of which of the following changes to its environment?

• The introduction of a toxic pollutant to the entire range of the species

• The separation of the population into two geographic regions

• The gradual replacement of its primary food plant by a related species

• Climate change that extends the period of its reproductive activity

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Natalie has noticed that when her dog had puppies, the puppies looked very different from the mother and from each other. This was due to natural genetic variation. Which of the following describes how genetic variation contributes to evolution?

• Genetic variation within a population means that all organisms will be better suited for survival.

• Genetic variation results in offspring only receiving from their parents' helpful characteristics.

• Genetic variation increases the ability of a species to survive environmental changes.

• Genetic variation results in a higher number of offspring produced in each generation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The table gives information about the size of four different body parts in a population of beetles over several generations. The data best supports the conclusion that the beetles got some advantage from an increase in the length of which body part?

• Forewing

• Hind wing

• Thorax

• Abdomen

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Individual flowers of a certain species vary in the time when they bloom. Flowers that bloom too early or too late might not be in bloom when the insects they depend on for reproduction are most active. The table provided shows how over many years the peak active time of these insects changed. Which of the following best predicts how these flowers might react to this environment?

• All flowers will bloom on the same day.

• Some flowers will evolve to eat insects.

• None of the flowers will survive after 2004.

• Most flowers will begin to bloom earlier.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4