Adaptations Study Guide

Observe the characteristic facial features of the Galapagos Island finches:

Which statement is most likely true about the Galapagos Island finches?

• The different beaks are the result of adaptations to eating certain kinds of foods on the islands.

• The different beaks are the result of adaptations to the amount of food available: the more food, the larger the beak.

• The different beaks are not related to the food they eat but to the length of the finch’s life.

• The different beaks are not related to the food they eat but to the season.

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England began burning coal to power factories in the mid 1800's. Dark smoke and black soot are products of burning coal, which over time coated the nearby trees. The graph shows population changes in the peppered moth species in England from 1844 to 1891.

​Select the three statements that may explain the changes in the population of peppered moths during this time.

• Peppered moths turned a darker color as they aged.

• The environment favored darker coloring in peppered moths.

• Darker peppered moths consumed the lighter peppered moths

• Dark coloring was a trait that helped peppered moths avoid predators.

• Darker peppered moths reproduced more successfully than lighter peppered moths.

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A forest area is being used for a new housing development. Most of the trees have been removed to make room for the new houses. Predict the impact that this will have on the birds in the area.

• The bird populations will stay the same because humans love birds.

• The bird populations will decrease because humans see them as pests.

• The bird populations will increase because humans do not interfere with wild animals.

• The bird populations will decrease due to competition for resources such as food and nesting sites.

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Examine the picture of various tortoises and their locations in the Galapagos Islands.

​Based on the pictures of the various tortoises, which of the following is the best explanation of why they have different neck lengths?

• The Isabela Island tortoise has short neck because there is limited food resources on their island, so they do not need to reach very far.

• Each of the tortoises is adapted to the environment of their different islands. Selection for the neck length has occurred over many generations.

• The Hood Island tortoise has a long neck because there is plenty of food resources on their island, so their long neck allows them to reach up to eat plant leaves.

• The Pinta Island tortoise has a medium neck because they are the offspring of the Hood and Isabela Island tortoises. Their neck length is not related to the environment that they live.

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A species of fish living in a stream displays variation in body color. Fifty years ago, most of the fish were light-colored but a few were dark-colored. Over time, the clear water of the stream became cloudy and the population of dark-colored fish increased.

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​Which statement explains why more dark-colored fish were found after the water became cloudy?

• More of the dark-colored fish survived long enough to reproduce.

• The light-colored fish began eating the eggs of the dark-colored fish.

• The dark-colored fish mated with other species of dark-colored fish

• More of the light-colored fish switched to asexual reproduction

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The diagram shows the beaks of five species of birds that developed over time from one parent species. The five species of birds can be found living in the same area.

Which of the following best explains why the beak shape of each species of bird developed differently?

• Each beak shape helps the birds to produce different songs.

• Each beak shape is an adaptation to a specific source of food.

• Each beak shape is designed to construct a different type of nest.

• Each beak shape helps protect the birds form different predators.

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The graph shows the relative genetic diversity of two related species. These two species live in different areas but have similar population sizes.

​Which statement correctly explains why one of the species is more likely to survive an environmental change?

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• Species 1 because it has fewer genes

• Species 2 because it has more genes

• Species 1 because it has less genetic diversity

• Species 2 because it has greater genetic diversity

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Individuals in a population that have traits or abilities that give them a competitive advantage over other population members are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is called

• species variation

• genetic mutation

• genetic resistance

• natural selection

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Which of the following is the best example of an adaption that helps organisms survive in their environment?

• green coloring in lizards living on gray rocks

• a thick coat of fur on animals living in the desert

• an extensive root system to reach water in desert plants

• thin, delicate leaves on plants in a cold climate

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Trees need water so they can make their own food. Trees take in water using their roots. If a drought occurred reducing the amount of available water, some trees, such as those with deep roots that can reach the water table, would be naturally selected over other trees. If the drought continued for an extended period of time, the trees would likely evolve until most of the trees possessed drought-resistant characteristics.

Which of the following allows natural selection and evolution to occur?

• differences in the characteristics of individual trees

• using other plant parts instead of roots to absorb water

• increasing the height of the water table

• having an identical genetic make-up

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