Evolutionary Mechanisms Quiz

What is natural selection?

• The process where organisms randomly change their genetic makeup

• The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

• The process where organisms compete for resources within their environment

• The process where organisms intentionally adapt to their environment

Explain the concept of survival of the fittest in the context of natural selection.

• Organisms that are the strongest physically are more likely to survive and reproduce

• Organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring.

• Organisms that are the most colorful are more likely to survive and reproduce

• Organisms that are the most intelligent are more likely to survive and reproduce

What is genetic drift and how does it differ from natural selection?

• Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population, while natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population due to their impact on survival and reproduction.

• Genetic drift is the intentional change in allele frequencies in a population, while natural selection is the accidental process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population

• Genetic drift is the result of deliberate selection of certain traits in a population, while natural selection is the random change in allele frequencies

• Genetic drift is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population due to their impact on survival and reproduction, while natural selection is the random change in allele frequencies in a population

Describe an example of genetic drift in a population.

• A herd of mammals in a zoo experiences genetic drift as the frequency of a particular fur pattern allele changes over time due to controlled mating by zookeepers

• A large population of fish in a well-connected lake experiences genetic drift as the frequency of a particular fin color allele changes over time due to natural selection

• A small population of birds on an isolated island experiences genetic drift as the frequency of a particular beak shape allele changes over time due to random chance.

• A group of insects in a diverse ecosystem experiences genetic drift as the frequency of a particular wing size allele changes over time due to deliberate breeding by humans

What is gene flow and how does it impact genetic diversity?

• Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another through interbreeding or migration. It can increase genetic diversity by introducing new alleles into a population.

• Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another through asexual reproduction. It can decrease genetic diversity by limiting the introduction of new alleles into a population.

• Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another through genetic engineering. It has no impact on genetic diversity.

• Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one individual to another within the same population. It can decrease genetic diversity by limiting the variation within the population.

Explain how migration can contribute to gene flow in a population.

• Migration allows for the introduction of new genetic variation into a population.

• Migration only introduces harmful genetic variation into a population.

• Migration leads to the loss of genetic variation in a population.

• Migration has no impact on the genetic variation in a population.

What are mutations and how do they contribute to genetic variation?

• Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that contribute to genetic variation by introducing new alleles into a population.

• Mutations are changes in the RNA sequence that contribute to genetic variation by reducing the number of alleles in a population.

• Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that contribute to genetic variation by only affecting non-essential genes.

• Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that contribute to genetic variation by causing all individuals in a population to have the same alleles.

Provide an example of a beneficial mutation in a species.

• The development of a deadly virus in a species

• The extinction of a species due to a mutation

• The loss of a beneficial trait in a species

• The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

How do organisms adapt to their environment through natural selection?

• Intentional selection by the organism

• Differential survival and reproduction of individuals with advantageous traits

• Mutation of genetic material

• Random distribution of traits

Describe an example of an adaptation in a specific species and how it helps them survive.

• The lion has gills to breathe underwater and catch prey.

• The cheetah has a shell to protect itself from predators.

• The giraffe has a long neck to reach high leaves for food, helping it survive in its habitat.

• The elephant has wings to fly and escape predators.