Wk 11 - Tuesday Opening

What is the most likely explanation of the data shown below?

• There has been a drought in the area that is affecting all life forms.

• The population of natural predators of the moths has gotten smaller.

• The moths are living in an environment with light trees.

• The moths are living in an environment with dark trees.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The pair of population graphs below display the results of two different five-year hunting cycles, one on light trees and one on dark trees. The population of light-colored moths is shown by the light gray dots, and the population of dark moths is shown by the dark gray dots. How do these results demonstrate natural selection?

• The moth populations shown here demonstrate random fluctuations over time that are not explained by tree color.

• On light trees, individual moths tried to become lighter in color to match the tree background. On dark trees, individual moths tried to become darker in color.

• The moths that were the same color as their background were more likely to survive and reproduce. Over time, the populations of these well-adapted moths increased.

• Small particles of tree bark became embedded in the moth’s wings, causing the moths to become darker on the dark trees and lighter on the light trees. These acquired traits were then passed down to the next generation of moths, causing the populations to change color over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Natural selection can operate on predator populations as well as on prey. Suppose that over time trees became covered in lichen and the proportion of light moths increased to nearly 100%. What is the most likely consequence for predator populations?

• Bird populations will decrease, at least for a while.

• Over time, birds with better eyesight will become more common.

• Birds may change hunting strategies or seek other sources of food.

• All answers are correct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The change over time in populations of related organisms

• natural selection

• evolution

• variation

• adaptation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The process by which organisms with variations that help them survive in their environment, live longer, compete better, and reproduce more than those without those variations.

• natural selection

• evolution

• variation

• adaptation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A slight difference in an inherited trait among individual members of a species

• natural selection

• evolution

• variation

• adaptation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

An inherited trait that increases an organism's chance of surviving and reproducing in a particular environment.

• natural selection

• evolution

• variation

• adaptation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A permanent change in the sequence of DNA in a gene or a chromosome. This change happens for no specific reason at all and may help or not help the organism survive and reproduce.

• evolution

• variation

• adaptation

• mutation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1