Evolution

Male guppies found in areas without predators are more colorful than the ones found in locations with large predator populations. A population of adult guppies originating from an area with a large number of predators is transferred to a nearby area with few predators.

Which of these is most likely to happen over a few generations?

• The mortality rate of the guppies will increase.

• Offspring will stop competing for resources.

• There will be an increase in mutations in the offspring.

• There will be an increase in the number of colorful guppies.

The diagram shows light and dark colored beetles that live on a tree. Which result is most likely to occur to the beetle population due to predation over time?

• The number of light-colored beetles in the population will increase.

• There will be more dark-colored beetles than light-colored beetles.

• The number of light-colored beetles will decrease.

• The dark-colored beetles will move to a different type of tree.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The quiver tree grows in desert areas in southern Africa. In recent decades, average temperatures have been rising in southern Africa. Scientists predict that this warming trend will continue. Quiver trees in the hottest parts of their range near the equator are dying, but quiver trees at high elevations or in parts of the range that are farther from the equator are growing and reproducing.

Which of these best explains what is happening to the quiver tree population in southern Africa?

• Individual quiver trees are unable to adjust to rising temperatures, and only those in cooler parts of the range will survive.

• The quiver tree species is unable to survive rising temperatures throughout its range. The species is likely to undergo rapid extinction.

• Individual quiver trees can quickly adapt to rising temperatures. Individual trees will change their method of seed dispersal in cooler parts of the range.

• The quiver tree species will survive by producing offspring suited for warmer temperatures.

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An experiment is run where 50 beige mice and 50 black mice are placed on dark volcanic rock. Over the next 25 years, which type of mouse do you expect to be the majority?

• The beige mice because they have the adaptation to blend in and survive, and reproduce

• The black mice because they have the adaptation to blend in and survive, and reproduce

• The beige mice because they have an adaptation and can outlive the black mice

• The dark mice because they have an adaptation and can outlive the black mice

Which term refers to the process by which individuals that are better suited to the environment survive and reproduce therefore passing down their genes to their offspring?

• Evolution

• Variation

• Fitness (natural selection)

• Competition

Scientists can determine relatedness among organisms by comparing partial amino acid sequences. The table shows four partial amino acid sequences from four organisms.

Which organism is the least related to the other three organisms?

• organism 1

• organism 2

• organism 3

• organism 4

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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The image shows part of the humerus bone in different genera of primates.

Which statement is best supported by the observable structures of the different humorous bones?

• the primates lived in similar environments.

• the primates shared a common ancestor.

• the primates interbreed with similar organisms in a population.

• the primates had diets that consisted of similar types of foods.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

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Cetaceans are whales and their relatives. The diagram shows some fossils of cetaceans.

Which statement provides the best evidence that Ambulecetus natans is an ancestor of Basilosaurus iris?

• homologous structure occurs in each fossil.

• similar nitrogenous bases are found in the DNA of each fossil.

• the fossils were found in different locations

• the youngest fossil is larger than the older fossils.

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Bactrian camels, dromedaries, llamas, and alpacas are all members of the same taxonomic family, Camelidae. Members of this family all have two toes, no hooves, true canine teeth, and a split upper lip. the family Camelidae originated in North America. The physical features of animals in this family and the family's geographical origin provide evidence that all these animals -

• live in the same type of ecosystem

• have slowly evolved to become herbivores

• have a common ancestor

• exchanged DNA at some point in the past

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A new predator of rabbits has been introduced within an ecosystem. This new predator runs faster than the native predator of rabbits.

Which statement describes what will most likely occur in the rabbit population due to the introduction of the predator?

• The rabbits will mutate their genes and express genes that increase their speed.

• Slower rabbits will develop stronger legs and pass this trait to their offspring.

• Rabbits will mate and produce offspring with a different species that has faster runners.

• Faster rabbits will survive and reproduce increasing the average speed of the rabbit population.

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