8.11B Environmental Changes

(7.11C) When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Island in the 1800s, he observed many types of organisms that were similar but lived on different islands. The four species of mockingbirds found on the Gapapagos Island are shown below. Each species lives on a different island.
These species are very similar, but the Hood mockingbird has a longer beak than the other three species. Which of the following best explains this difference?

• The hood mockingbird needs a longer beak for defense against predators.
• The Hood mockingbird originated from a different type of bird than the other species.
• The Hood mockingbird's longer beak is an adaptation to the food available in the bird's habitat.
• The Hood mockingbird's beak stretched to reach its food, and the longer beak was passed down to its offspring.

Copper compounds are used to control the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. Copper interferes with photosynthesis in these organisms. What would be the most likely result of an accidental spill of these compounds in an aquatic environment?

• Fish would grow larger than usual
• Zooplankton would increase
• Plants would increase in size and decrease in number
• The plant populations would be reduced

Some animals are born with a gene that causes hairlessness.  Which of the following would be an example of how this is a beneficial mutation

• Higher rates of skin cancer in hairless animals.
• Animals that are hairless have better tolerance for heat
• Animals with no hair have more skin infections than those with hair
• animals with less hair are less able get food because they can't forage in cold weather

Some organisms have colorful appearances to warn their predators (animals that would try to eat them) that they are harmful or do not taste good. If other species, that are not harmful, mimic these colors how would that help them reproduce?

• The bright colors would help them attract more mates and allow them to reproduce
• Because they have similar colors they can mate with the harmful species to create hybrids
  
• Bright colors help them be more visible in the dark and most mating occurs after dark
• The similar markings and colors will increase their chance of predators avoiding them and allow them to survive to reproduce

Many animals that live in the ocean. They are often dark blue colored above and white below. Why would this color pattern be a helpful inherited trait for the ocean environment?

• This color allows them to blend in and avoid being seen by prey so they get food and they can reproduce
• This color pattern has no effect on reproduction it is only for variation during the seasons
• Their white underbelly helps them absorb more light and heat from the sun helping them grow and reproduce
• White reflects sunlight allowing the organisms to see better in the ocean
  

1.  Why did the population of peppered moths in England change from light to dark after the Industrial Revolution?

• Light moths were killed by soot.
• Dark moths were produces by industrial processes.
• The birds that ate the dark moths were killed by the soot.
• Light moths were more obvious against the soot-stained trees.

A group of herbivores are separated from their population.  In the new environment, the only edible vegetation grows at the top of tall trees.  Which of the following is a likely physical adaptation that may develop?

• striped fur
• a tendency to mate during the summer
• the ability to swim
• a long neck

A large amount of dust and ash from a recent volcanic eruption settles in the region. Which of the following organisms that live near the volcano will most likely survive? 

• Deer
• Grasses
• Trees
• Fish

An organism that cannot adapt to changes in the environment will most likely - 

• produce more offspring
• die
• change its traits to survive
• store more food

Scientists gathered the following data on lizard populations for several years. The results are shown in the table. Which environmental factor most likely contributes to the change in lizard population? 

• increase in available water and food
• increase in shelter
• increase in predators
• increase in light