Evolution and Natural Selection

Which factor can increase the chances of a species evolving by natural selection?

• high reproductive rate

• no related species

• stable environmental conditions

• small gene pool

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Increased surface area on a beetle antenna increases the number of molecules that can be collected from the air. The diagram shows four antenna types. If this ability is essential for survival in a particular environment, beetles with which antennae are most likely to reproduce?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

In a species of butterfly on a South Pacific island, females carry a bacterium that kills males before they hatch. As a result, females make up 99% of the population. During one year, male butterflies increased to make up 39% of the population. A gene was found in these males that may have inhibited the reproduction of the bacterium. Which of these factors contributed to the change in this butterfly population?

• alterations in the environment

• genetic variation among individuals

• equal survival of males and females

• lethal mutations in individuals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A group of researchers found three different varieties of Timema cristinae, a plant-eating stick insect species in California. The table shows the features of the three different varieties.

• to migrate and adapt to new regions

• to avoid being eaten by predators

• to ensure each variety recognizes the other varieties easily

• to ensure each generation looks different from the previous

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The saber-tooth trait appeared independently in the animals Thylacosmilus and Smilodon. [diagram_placeholder] Which statement best explains why this trait evolved in both types of organisms?

• The two groups of organisms bred with each other.

• Both groups expressed recessive ancestor genes for the trait.

• Each group inhabited a niche in which selection pressures favored the trait.

• Both groups underwent the same sequence and timing of genetic mutations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The population sizes of different species of Darwin’s finches have varied since records of their numbers have been kept. The drawings show several different species of the finches and their beaks. Darwin’s finches live in the same habitat and are subject to the same environmental pressures. Yet, as one population size increases, another decreases, and then the reverse may occur. Which stimulus is most likely to cause these changes in population size?

• a decrease in nesting materials

• changes in the predator population

• a loss of habitat due to human encroachment

• changes in the size and hardness of available seed food

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Genetic data suggest many frog species that live in Madagascar and India share a common ancestor that lived on the India-Madagascar landmass. Which statement best describes the divergence of frog species found in India and Madagascar?

• Breeding preferences of the frogs prevented interbreeding between frogs, resulting in new species.

• Geographic separation led to divergence in the gene pool, resulting in a new species in each location.

• The frog species occupied different habitats within the same geographic areas, resulting in new species.

• Different mating seasons led to the divergence of the gene pool, resulting in a new species at each location.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The table lists the presence or absence of characteristics in several organisms. Based on the data in the table, which phylogenetic tree is correct?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Analyze the amino acid data in the table. Species that share the most amino acids in the cytochrome-C protein are more closely related. Which two species in the table are the most closely related?

• species 2 and 3

• species 2 and 5

• species 3 and 4

• species 4 and 5

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-3

The phylogenetic tree shows the evolution of land plants. What can be concluded about the evolution of land plants?

• Angiosperms are more closely related to seedless vascular plants than gymnosperms.

• Gymnosperms and angiosperms are least evolved among land plants.

• Seedless vascular plants evolved before gymnosperms and angiosperms.

• Nonvascular plants and seedless vascular plants evolved at the same time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2