Natural Selection Review

What did Charles Darwin suggest about individuals with superior physical or behavioral attributes?

• They only survive but don't reproduce

• They are less likely to survive and reproduce

• They are more likely to survive and reproduce

• They have no impact on survival and reproduction

Answer explanation

Charles Darwin suggested that individuals with superior physical or behavioral attributes are more likely to survive and reproduce, as these traits enhance their chances of thriving in their environment.

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What is the role of geographic isolation in speciation?

• It decreases selection pressures

• It leads to the formation of new species

• It prevents genetic differences

• It allows populations to interbreed

Answer explanation

Geographic isolation prevents gene flow between populations, allowing them to evolve independently. This can lead to genetic divergence and ultimately the formation of new species, making the correct answer "It leads to the formation of new species."

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What is the main concept behind natural selection?

• Only the strongest and most physically fit survive

• Passing down adaptations to offspring

• Life started through natural selection

• Survival of the fittest

Answer explanation

The main concept behind natural selection is often summarized as 'survival of the fittest.' This phrase captures the idea that individuals best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

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How does natural selection influence the changes in species over time?

• By causing random fluctuations in a population

• By favoring both extremes of a trait

• By allowing the best adapted variants to survive and reproduce

• By preventing gene flow

Answer explanation

Natural selection influences species changes by allowing the best adapted variants to survive and reproduce, leading to the gradual evolution of traits that enhance survival in a given environment.

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What is the effect of mutations on natural selection?

• Prevents speciation

• Decreases variation

• Increases variation

• Causes genetic drift

Answer explanation

Mutations introduce new genetic variations in a population. This increased variation provides more raw material for natural selection to act upon, enhancing the potential for adaptation and evolution.

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Which of the following is an example of natural selection?

• Sickle cell anemia and malaria resistance

• Seasonal migration of animals

• Random assortment of genes

• Gene flow between populations

Answer explanation

Sickle cell anemia provides a survival advantage against malaria in certain populations, illustrating natural selection where advantageous traits increase in frequency due to environmental pressures.

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Adaptations can be:

• camouflage

• ability to survive cold weather

• hunting skills

• all of the above

Answer explanation

Adaptations can include various traits that help organisms survive. Camouflage helps avoid predators, the ability to survive cold weather aids in survival, and hunting skills enhance food acquisition. Thus, 'all of the above' is correct.

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Natural selection occurs during the lifetime of a single organism.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Natural selection is a process that occurs over generations, affecting populations rather than individual organisms. Therefore, the statement is false.

What is most likely to happen to moth populations in the picture shown?

• Light moths--hunted easily, dark moths--population increase

• Dark moths--hunted easily, dark moths--population increase

• Light moths--hunted easily, light moths--population increase

• Lights moths will change their color to match dark moths.

Answer explanation

In environments where dark moths blend in better, light moths are more visible to predators, leading to their decline. Consequently, dark moths, being less hunted, are likely to see an increase in their population.

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TRUE or FALSE: Natural selection will still occur if individuals are exactly the same.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

FALSE: Natural selection relies on variation among individuals. If all individuals are exactly the same, there would be no differences for natural selection to act upon, preventing the process from occurring.

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