Evolution by Natural Selection adapted from worksheet

Describe how the population of mice is different in figure 3 compared to figure 1.

• less white mice are present

• more white mice are present

• more sand colored mice are present

• less sand colored mice are present

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Explain what happened to cause less white mice in figure 3.

• The white mice could not find food.

• The white white mice were not best adapted to the sand colored environment and were easy prey.

• The white mice all went home early.

• The sand colored mice ate the white mice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In discussing evolution, fitness is defined as the ability to survive and reproduce. For the mice in the figure, which characteristic increased fitness?

• Bigger cheeks

• Longer tails

• Sand colored fur

• Shorter legs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The term fitness can have two different meanings, depending on what subject you are discussing. What does the term fitness mean when biologists are discussing evolution?

• process that results in the adaptation of an organism to its environment by means of selectively reproducing changes in its genotype, or genetic constitution

• clues that have been left behind by various forms of living things

• a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities.

• means the ability to survive to reproductive age, find a mate, and produce offspring

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The term fitness can have two different meanings, depending on what subject you are discussing. What does the term physical fitness mean?

• process that results in the adaptation of an organism to its environment by means of selectively reproducing changes in its genotype, or genetic constitution

• clues that have been left behind by various forms of living things

• a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities.

• means the ability to survive to reproductive age, find a mate, and produce offspring

A characteristic which is influenced by genes and passed from parents to offspring is called a heritable trait. For example, fur color is a heritable trait for mice. An adaptation is a heritable trait that increases fitness. Which fur color is an adaption for these mice? What evidence supports your conclusion?

• White / number of offspring and age at death

• Gray / number of offspring and age at death

• Black / number of offspring and running speed

• Gray / number of offspring and running speed

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Explain why the percent of mice with gray fur increased from Generation 1 adults to Generation 2 babies.

• Because the adaptation increases fitness, individuals with this trait generally produce more offspring.

• a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations and daily activities.

• Because the trait is heritable, offspring generally have the same trait as their parents. Therefore, over time, the adaptation tends to become more common in the population. This process is called natural selection.

• clues that have been left behind by various forms of living things

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

For the mice on the gray sand, what do you think would happen after many generation?

• About half of the mice would have gray fur.

• Almost all of the mice would have gray fur.

• There would be equal numbers of mice with white fur, gray fur and black fur.

• The gray mice would go to extinction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

After many generations almost all the mice would have gray fur because

• they taste rancid.

• they have a higher fitness.

• they are the more docile.

• they are a blend of black and white mice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Think of a population of mice living on white sand. Suppose the population began with a pair of white mice, a pair of gray mice and a pair of black mice. After many generations, almost all of the mice in this population would have ________ fur.

• white

• gray

• black

• white and black spotted

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4