Natural Selection & Evolution

On the African Veldt, there lives the Zebra, the Lion, and the Warthog. The Zebra lives for 10 years, has 4 foals per year, eats grass, and is natural prey for pretty much all other animals. The Lion is an awesome predator, loaded with muscle and a fabulous bushy mane. They are able to run down the Zebras for food. Each year, they have two cuddly cubs that spend their time playing and eating the bloody intestines of the dead Zebras. Then, there is the lowly Warthog. The Warthog sleeps 23 hours a day. For the measly hour they are awake, they roll in the mud, and eat nasty half-rotten grubs under logs. Every 6 months, they have 24 piglets that are also incredibly lazy.

Based on this information, who is the most "fit" for the environment and why?

• zebra - it has effective camouflage pattern

• lion - it is a fantastic apex predator

• warthog - it reproduces a lot

Farmer Joe only breeds the fattest hogs, the fastest horse of the cows that give the most milk. This is an example of:

• natural selection

• artificial selection

• evolutionary fitness

• survival of the fittest

Which of the following is MOST important to the survival of a species?

• ability to reproduce

• development of mutations

• having lots of variations

• ability to avoid predators

What causes variations within a species?

• artificial selection by nature

• artificial selection by humans

• species desiring certain traits

• genetic mutations

What will happen to a species that does not produce offspring?

• it will evolve

• it will become extinct

• it will migrate elsewhere

• it will acquire the trait of asexual reproduction

A tree frog population lives in the canopy of a tropical rain forest. In this population, a mutation occurs that results in a new trait of skin coloration causing stripes on their legs. Which of the following factors has the greatest effect on whether leg stripes will become more common in the tree frog population?

• if the reproduction rate of the tree frogs remains constant over time

• if the trait increases the survival of tree frogs in their environment

• if enough food or water is available in the rain forest

• if the trait is dominant or recessive

An example of a behavioral adaptation is

• The long neck of a giraffe
• Penguins huddling together for warmth
• A camel's hump used to store water
• A polar bear's white fur used for camouflage

An example of a physical adaptation is...

• a turtle hiding inside its shell

• the spikes on a porcupine fish

• a rabbit burrowing underground

• a viper biting when threatened

Which of the following is an example of behavioral adaptation?

• A monkey has a long tail to help it swing from branch to branch.

• A black bear hibernating during the winter months.

• Parrots have special feet, with two toes on the front and back to help them cling to branches.

• A lion has pointed teeth to help it tear meat off of the bone.

Which of the following is an example of a structural adaptation?

• An arctic tern migrates for food and warmth.

• A squid will squirt black ink at predators when frightened.

• A cat has a long tail to help it balance.

• When threatened, some animals make warning sounds to help other animals escape a predator.