Mechanisms + Natural Selection Quiz

A pair of iguanas stranded on a piece of driftwood found their way to an island with no other iguana species. Over time, they reproduced and populated the island with iguanas that inherited their alleles. The result was a population that differed in phenotypic ratios from the original population the iguanas came from. This is an example of: 

• Nonrandom mating

• Gene flow

• Genetic drift

• Mutation

What will occur to populations with limited gene flow between them?

• • Their gene pools will become identical

• • Their gene pools will remain similar

• • Each population will evolve to be genetically similar

• • Each population will evolve to be genetically distinct 

A volcanic eruption on an island with cows with alleles for spotted fur and black fur leaves mostly spotted cow survivors. Over time as the survivors reproduce amongst themselves the rebound population is mostly white with spots, with barely any dark cows. This is an example of: 

• Genetic drift

• Gene flow

• Mutation

• Nonrandom mating

A random change that occurs in the DNA and can be passed down to offspring

• Genetic drift

• Gene flow

• Mutation

• Nonrandom mating

Deep within the dense forests of New Guinea, the Birds of Paradise are known for their extraordinary courtship displays. One particular species exhibits males with exceptionally vibrant and elaborate plumage, which they use in complex dances and poses to attract females. These displays are not just for show; they play a critical role in the mating process. Females carefully observe these performances, choosing mates based on the quality and attractiveness of their plumage and dance. Males with duller or less dramatic features who are less attractive to females find themselves unable to reproduce and pass on their genes. This preference for specific traits has led to the males of this species evolving increasingly elaborate displays over generations. This is an example of:

• Nonrandom mating

• Natural selection

• Founder effect

• Mutation

A certain rat population has individuals that have white fur, gray fur, and brown fur. The white, gray, and brown are examples of different _____________ for the same gene. 

• Alleles

• Heritable

• Mutations

• Selective pressures

The European Rabbit, which originated in Spain and Portugal, lives in the wild on every continent in the world except Asia and Antarctica. European rabbits are herbivorous,  but individual rabbits within this species exhibit  differences in the types of vegetation they are able to  digest. Some rabbits consume grass and leaf material because  they require diets higher in fiber and protein. Other rabbits  consume fruit and vegetable material because they require  diets higher in starch and sugar. For the past several years,  Southwestern regions of the United States have experienced  severe drought conditions, and plants there have produced  less fruit and vegetable material as a result. Female rabbits  can produce as many as 35 offspring in one year, so thousands of European Rabbits are born in this region yearly. However, due to the drought, many have starved to death.

Based on this scenario what is the inherited variation in this rabbit population?

• 35 offspring are produced but many starve to death

• Some are grass and leaf eaters, others are fruit and vegetable eaters

• The drought

• Their fur color

The European Rabbit, which originated in Spain and Portugal, lives in the wild on every continent in the world except Asia and Antarctica. European rabbits are herbivorous,  but individual rabbits within this species exhibit  differences in the types of vegetation they are able to  digest. Some rabbits consume grass and leaf material because  they require diets higher in fiber and protein. Other rabbits  consume fruit and vegetable material because they require  diets higher in starch and sugar. For the past several years,  Southwestern regions of the United States have experienced  severe drought conditions, and plants there have produced  less fruit and vegetable material as a result. Female rabbits  can produce as many as 35 offspring in one year, so thousands of European Rabbits are born in this region yearly. However, due to the drought, many have starved to death.

Based on this scenario, what causes the rabbits to struggle for existence?

• 35 offspring are produced but many starve to death

• Some are grass and leaf eaters, others are fruit and vegetable eaters

• The drought

• Their fur color

The European Rabbit, which originated in Spain and Portugal, lives in the wild on every continent in the world except Asia and Antarctica. European rabbits are herbivorous,  but individual rabbits within this species exhibit  differences in the types of vegetation they are able to  digest. Some rabbits consume grass and leaf material because  they require diets higher in fiber and protein. Other rabbits  consume fruit and vegetable material because they require  diets higher in starch and sugar. For the past several years,  Southwestern regions of the United States have experienced  severe drought conditions, and plants there have produced  less fruit and vegetable material as a result. Female rabbits  can produce as many as 35 offspring in one year, so thousands of European Rabbits are born in this region yearly. However, due to the drought, many have starved to death.

Based on this scenario, which of these rabbits will be the most successful in reproducing?

• The fruit and vegetable eaters

• The grass and leaf eaters

• The lighter ones

• The darker ones