Natural Selection and Adaptations

The picture below shows a giraffe eating leaves off of a tree. Which of the following characteristics would help individuals in a population of giraffe outlive the other giraffes?

• Having the longest necks

• Having the brightest fur

• Having the most spots

• Having the sharpest teeth

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Chameleons are reptiles that have the ability to hide from predators and prey by blending in with their environment. They can change the pattern and/or color of their skin.

This ability is known as —

• natural selection

• imitation

• mimicry

• camouflage

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Most organisms have coloration that helps them blend into their surroundings. Male peacocks have colorful, feathered tails.

These conspicuous tails are used for —

• building nests

• attracting mates

• flying and balance

• avoiding predators

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Over time, the food supply for birds on an isolated island has changed. The supply of insects, small tender seeds, and vegetation has shrunk. The supply of tough, large, hard seeds has remained unchanged. Over several generations, changes in genetic traits of birds' beaks have occurred. Which beak is most likely to improve the survival rate of the birds?

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The Galapagos Islands are home to a variety of finches. Charles Darwin observed the finches on the island and noticed that each species was well suited to the life it led. For example, finches that ate insects had sharp, slender beaks; finches that ate seeds had strong, wide beaks.

According to the above information and image, beak shape in these finches is an example of —

• adaptation

• simulation

• competition

• environmentalism

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Scientists plan to use selective breeding to produce a new type of wheat for farmers who live in northern areas with short summer seasons.

Which of these traits would be MOST useful for these farmers?

• large seed size

• long stem length

• fast growth rate

• shallow root systems

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Internal structures of organisms have adaptations that enable organisms to be successful in their environment. Blubber in a penguin is one example of this. What function does the blubber perform for the penguin?

• make the penguin look bigger to scare off predators

• add bulk to the penguin, enabling it to balance on the ice

• protect the penguin from freezing water temperature

• allows more friction between the penguin and ice

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Differences in traits are called _________ and explain why siblings don't look exactly alike.

• mutations
• variations
• traits
• evolution

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A physical or behavioral trait an organism is born with that helps it survive is -

• A mutation

• An adaptation

• Genetic variation

• Gene flow

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True or False. All mutations are harmful.

• True

• False

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