Evolution and Natural Selection

____ is when members of a species that are best suited for their environment survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other members of the species

• natural selection
• artificial selection
• speciation
• adaptation

Which of the following means "change over time"

• natural selection
• speciation
• evolution
• isolation

The differences among a species, like different bird beaks, are called

• theories
• variations
• adaptations
• genes

When lions prey on a herd of antelopes, some antelopes are killed and some escape. Which part of Darwin’s concept of natural selection might be used to describe this situation?

• reproductive isolation
• descent with modification
• acquired characteristics
• survival of the fittest

In a particular population, sexual reproduction can produce

• many different phenotypes.
• meiosis.
• mutations.

According to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, the individuals that tend to survive are those that have

• characteristics their parents acquired by use and disuse.
• the greatest number of offspring.
• characteristics that plant and animal breeders value.
• variations best suited to the environment.

Natural selection and evolution work on what level of life organization?

• individuals
• biomes
• populations
• ecosystems

Comparing two individuals of a species, evolutionary “fitness” would be best measured by which of the following?

• the length and width of the individuals
• the number of offspring
• the mass of the food eaten in its life
• the mass of the individuals

Which of the following is an example of the founder effect?

• Bald Eagles are hunted until near extinction, population recovers.

• Small group of iguanas floats to an island, starts a new population.

• Red fox pups are more likely to survive in a snowy environment if they are born white.

• Farmer chooses seeds from largest apples to plant next year. This results in larger apples from year to year.

A  population of cockroaches was sprayed with an insecticide.  Some cockroaches survived and produced a population of cockroaches that was resistant to this spray.  What can BEST be inferred from this example?

• species will adapt no matter what the environment
• environment has no effect on the survival of an organism
• Individuals with favorable variations survive and reproduce
• Insecticides cause mutations that are passed on to the next generation